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Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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V 


CIHM/ICMH 

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microfiches. 


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first 
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D 


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10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

. 

y 

12X 

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20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

lire 

details 
Lies  du 
:  modifier 
ger  une 

filmage 


i6es 


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ire 


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et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
lllustrent  la  m^thode. 


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XI 


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2 

3 

32X 


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5 

6 

EAEI 


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B 


THE 


EAELT  PEOPLING  OF  AMERICA, .  ) 


AND 


ITS  DISCOVERY 


'      !; 


BEFORE  THE  TIME  OF  COLUMBUS. 


BY  JOHN  B.  NEWMAN,   M.    D. 


JJ'ttt)  IJork: 
THOMAS   HUSTED   &   G0« 

97  NASSAU-STREET. 

1848, 


•         1 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1847. 

By  THOMAS  S.   HUSTED, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  *he  Southern 

District  of  New  Fork 


le  year  1847. 
X  *he  Southern 


CONTENTS. 


BOOK  FIRST, 


MIGRATION   OF  THE  AZTECS. 


Founding  of  Tyre, 

Capture  of  Tyre  by  JVehuchadnezzar 

Capture  of  Tyre  by  Alexander, 

Fifteen  Thousand  Tyrians  sail  to  Cyprus, 

The  Tyrians  put  to  sea  again  and  direct  their  cot 

to  Atlantis, 
History  of  Atlantis, 
Destruction  of  Atlantis,  ■-   . 

Traditions  of  the  Peruvians, 
Horses  before  the  time  of  Columbus, 
Arrival  of  the  Tyrians  at  Atlantis  or  Mexico. 
Tndentity  of  the  Tyrians    aud  Mexicans  proved  by 

their  arts,  sculpture  and  religious  ceremonies. 


IV 


cont::nt5 


mm.  SECOND.  « 

i 

DISCOVERY  OF  AMEUICA  BEFORE  COLUMBliS.   I 

$ 
PosUions  on   the  mv.^  of    Icland,   Greenland,    and 
Massiu:husetts\  -■ 

Early    truditioiiu    nf    \Vef;hrn     Europe    relative    to\ 
lands  in  the  W  est^ 

Seven  ijcars  voyage  of  S'.   Brenda, 

Voyagts  'f  the  We/th  chief  Gavran, 

Voyag"  .f  Madoc  to  thv  Missouri ^ 

Discov^;ry  of  Iceland  by  Pirates   and  its   settlement 

Lisa.va-y  and  settlernnit  of  Greenland. 

Disco rery  of  Massachusetts  by  Lief  under  the  name 
of  I  in'. and. 

Columbus  visits  Iceland^ 


TH 


The  ] 
phan  t! 
rated  \\ 
NaLionu 
copied 


Columhus  not  a  discover   hut  far  ^reaUr  a  reviver    ^  Utiles. 


of  truth 
Concluding  testimony ^ 


I 


exciti-'if; 
them  t 
othei's,  i 
ry  of  tb 
for  whi 
discovei 
for  eve 
inhabit 
story  ai 


Abou 

Ity   wit! 

was  en 

I  rally  si 


I 

)LUMBIiS.   i 

eenland,   and 

?    relative   to 


THE  AZTEC  CITY  OF  SUMAL 


—M^'l^V 


<&'M^\»\^ 


INTRODUCTION. 


s  settlement 
icr  the  name 


The  late  remarkiible  expedition  of  Colonel  Doni- 
{^han  througii  the  Mexican  country  has  been  nar- 
rated witli  considerable  detail  in  rlie  New  Orleans 
I  National  newspaper,  and  (Yomi  it,  been  extensively 
copied  and  circulated  by  the  press  of  the  United 
?r  a  reviver  ^f^^es.  Though  most  of  the  facts  are  highly 
exciting  aiHi  intereniing.  yet  tliere  is  one  among 
tiieni  tiiat  will  survive  Mie  rejaenibrance  of  the 
others,  and  be  more  likely  to  perpetuate  the  memo- 
ry of  that  arduous  undertaking  than  even  tiio  objev^^t 
for  which  it  was  despatched.  We  :i.ll'yjle  to  the 
discovery  of  that  long  souglit  and  anxiously  wait-ui 
for  event, — an  Aztec  city  and  genuine  Mexi(*an 
inhabitants.  The  National  gives  tlie  followr>i^ 
story  among   its   sketches,    under    the   heading   of 

EXTUAORIilNAKV    fNTAND    CITY. 

About  the  time  Colonel  Doniphan  made  his  trea 
I  ty   with  the   Navajos,    a  division,  of  his  command 
was  entirely  out  of  provisions,  but  these  were  iibe- 
I  rally  supplied  with  the  present  necessities,  by  the 


f    ! 


8 


INTWODUCriOXi. 


tribe  with  whoin  they  had  just  concluded  tcnuLfQom  eno 
of  peace.  The  necessity,  Jiowevcr,  induced  apor-pass  eacl 
tion  of  the  regiment  to  return  to  Cuvano.  Wliile habitants 
another  portion  commanded  by  Major  Gilpin  andb^iidinga 
accompanied  by  Colonel  Doniphan,  toolc  the  oppor-  ^s  a  def( 
tunity  of  visiting  tlie  city  of  tlie  SumpJ  Indians  prowling 
which  is  celebrated  over  all  tiie  surrounding  coun-  in  the 
try,  to  make  a  peace  between  them  and  the  Navajos.  ^ns,  and 
This  city  was  situated  on  the  Rio  Pesco  or  Piscow,  the  story 
which  is  supposed  be  a  branch  of  the  Geyia.  They  tains  a  tr 
were  successful  in  their  object,  and  from  thence  very  few 
returned  to  the  Rio  del  Norte.  ^  The  d 

'Jnllke  the  Navajos,  the  people  of  Sumai  live   in  the  most 
a  city  which  presents  every  appearance  of  a   high  go  long 
degree   of  civilization.     U  containo  probably  ove'    whoposs 
six  thousand  inhabitants  who  support   themselves  jvo  doub 
entirely  by  agriculture.     This  city  is  one  of  the  people  w 
most  extraordinary    on    the   globe,     its    mode    of       it  is  a 
building  is  extremely  peculiar,  it  being  divided  into    have,  sin 
four  solid  squares,  having  but  two  streets  and  these    to  have  i 
crossing  the  centre  at  right  angles.     The  buildings    looking 
are  all  two  stories  in  height  and  composed  of  sun 
burned  brick.     The  first  stories  of  each  quarter  are 
connected  together,  presenting   a  solid  wall  to  the 
street,  and   so  constructed    that  each    house  joins 
perfectly  as  far  the  first  story  is  concerned,  with  the     own,  th( 
one  next  to  it,  until  one  fourth  of  the  city  may  be     afld  reli 
said  to  DC  one   solid  structure.     The  second  stories         The 
rise  from  this  vast  solid  foundation  so  as  to  designate     vated  w 
each  house,  not  uniting   as  do  the  first,  but   with     reap  im 


race  as  { 
from  arr 
who  for 
occurren 


INTRODUCTION. 


ided  tcruiLpQQj^  enough  between  each  building  for  persons  to 
icctl  apor-pj^gg  each  other  without  inconvenience.  The  in 
While  habitants  of  Sumai  enter  the  second  story  of  their 
fiipin  and^juiicjingsby  ladders  which  they  draw  up  at  night, 
the  oppor-  ^s  a  defence  against   any  enemy  that  might  be 

Indians  prowling  about. 
iing  coun-  j^  the  city  of  Sumai  were  seen  some  white  Indl- 
e  Navajos.  gug^  and  this  circumstance  probably  gave  rise  to 
or  Piscow,  the  story  of  there  living  afar  off  in  the  Rock  Moun- 
They  tains  a  tribe  of  white  aborigines.  These  Albinoes  are 
)m  thence  very  few  in  number. 

1  The  discovery  of  this  city  of  Sumai  will  afford 
ai  live  io  the  most  curious  speculations  among  those  who  have 
of  a  higu  Belong  searched  in  vain  for  a  city  of  the  Indiana 
iai^]y  over  \7ho  possessed  the  habits  and  manners  of  the  Aztecs, 
hemselves  ]sjo  doubt  we  have  here  a  race  living  as  did  that 
ne  of  the  people  when  Cortez  entered  Mexico. 
mode  of  j^  jg  ^  remarkable  fact  that  the  Sumians 
have,  since  the  Spaniards  left  the  country,  refused 
to  have  any  intercourse  with  the  modern  Mexicans, 
looking  as  they  do  upon  that  mixed  and  debased 


vided  iato 
aiid  these 
buildings 
id  of  sun 
larter  are 
ill  to  the 


race  as  a  far  inferior  people.    They  have  also  driven 
from  among  them  the  priests  and  other  dignitaries, 


who  formerly  had  power  over  them,  and   after  this 

use  joins  occurrence  resumed  habits   and  mauners  of  their 

with  the  own,  their  Great  Chief  or  Governor  b3ing  the  civil 

may  be  a«nd  religious  head, 

d  stories  The  country   around  the  city  of  Sumai  is  culti. 

lesignate  vated  with  the  utmost  care  and  skill,  and  the  people 

ut   with  reap  immense  harvests  as  the  reward  of  their  Indus. 


8 


INTRODrCTION. 


o 


try ;  enough  not  only  for  themselves,  but  what  Is  Bhort  Win 
absolutely  necessary  in  a  country  surrounded  by  tongues  1 
such  a  sterile  tract,— fur  also,  large  flocks  of  cattle  "  I'ew 
and  sheep.  to  luore  d 

So  far   the  information   furnished   by  the  expedi   the    orig 
tion  and  enough  too,  to  cause  others  to  follow  in  its  their  orig 
track.      The   inhabitants   of   Sumai  claim  a  direct  hypothes 
descent  from    the  pure   Aztec   race  and  pretend  to  Some  au 
retain  their  habits  and  customs.     We   have  now  a  ecrupled 
ready  method  of  reading  the  hierogliphics,so  profuse-  creation 
ly  inscribed  on  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  cities.   Such  a  Inform 
consummation  would  at  any  rate  be  a  great  satis-  eastern  > 
faction,  though  with  regard  to  their  origin  and  early   from  a 
history,  we  have  much  to  learn  at  this  day.  Others, 

It  is  our  opinion  that  from  the  information  before   Reives  w 
them,  antiquarians  will  come  finally  to  the  conclusion   truction 
thatAuicrica  has  been  peopled  from  three  different    Holy  Wi 
sources.  ers)  abrc 

In  the  first  place  by  the  passage  of  the  descen-  time  wli 
dants  of  Gomer,  or  Atlas,over  the  celebrated  island  of  ern  worl 
Alantis,  by  means  of  the  islets  of  the  sea.  The  over-  "  A  th 
throw  of  the  islands  driving  the  saved  remnaat  in  an  islan 
a  southerly  direction,  where  their  descendants  are  Btretchec 
now  found  under  the  name  of   Peruvians  etc.  across  tl: 

Secondly  by  the  crossing  of  the  Tartar  hordes  nental  t 
into  America   from  the  north-eastern  parts  of  Asia.    ward. 

Thirdly  by  the  voyage  of  the  fifteen  thousand  wind  o\ 
whom  the  Sidonians  carried  from  Tyre,  to  the  east,  a  few  ai 
ern  shores  of  Mexico.  In  relation  to  these  it  is  the  passage 
object  of  this  work  to  treat,  and  a  connected  but  I 


JMROnUCTIov. 


9 


It  what  is 
Kinded  by 
3  of  cattle 

he  expedi 
low  in  its 
in  a  direct 
)retend  to 
ve  now  a 
30  profuse- 
s.  Such  a 
reat  satis- 
aud  early 
7- 

ion  before 

conclusion 

different 

e  descen. 
i  island  of 
The  over- 
tmnaat  in 
dants  are 
etc. 

ar  hordes 
3  of  Asia, 
thousand 
>  the  eas^- 
it  is  the 
ected  but 


short  liisiory  is  given  of  them  from  the  confusion  of 
tongues  to  the  era  of  Cortez. 

"  Few  questions,"  says  a  writer,  'Miave  given  rise 
to  more  discussion  or  more  ingenious  theorizing  than 
the  original  history  of  America.  To  determine 
their  original  paternity,  many  inr.rediblc  and  absurd 
hypotheses  have  been  from  time  to  time  propounded. 
Some  autliors— lord  Raimes  among  them — have  not 
scrupled  to  report  that  the  Mosaic  account  of  the 
creation  of  our  first  parents  was  only  intended  to 
Inform  us  of  the  origin  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
eastern  world,  and  that  the  Americans  have  sprung 
iVorn  a  different  Adam,  and  a  less  erring  Filve. 
Otliers,  with  more  piety,  haye  contented  tliem- 
Relves  witli  hazarding  the  conjecture  that  the  des- 
truction of  the  tower  of  JJabel,  when,  according  to 
Holy  Writ--'  The  Lord  scattered  them,  (the  build- 
ers) abroad  upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth,'  was  the 
time  when  the  vast  plains  and  forests  of  the  west- 
ern world  first  received  man  as  their  inhabitant. 

"A  third  party  conceived  that  in  former  times 
an  island  of  enormous  dimensions,  named  Atlantis, 
istretched  from  the  north-western  coast  of  Africa 
across  the  Atlantic  oCean,  and  that  over  this  conti- 
nental tract  both  man  and  beast  migrated  west- 
ward. In  one  night,  however,  a  mighty  storm  and 
wind  overwhelmed  this  island,  at  a  time  when  only 
a  few  animals  had  succeeded  in  making  good  their 
passage. 


1 
i  I 


/. 


!  ,"• 


10 


iNxnoiinr'TloN. 


"  The  discoveries  made  by  the  Russians  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  world  under  the  auspices  of 
Peter  the  Great,  confirmed  the  opinion  of  those 
who,  not  disposed  to  account  by  supernatural 
agency  for  what  might  be  effected  by  natural 
causes,  had  early  suggested  the  possibility  of 
America  being  peopled  from  the  contiguous  north- 
ern shores  of  Rurope  on  the  one  side  and  Asia  on 
the  other.  They  insisted  upon  the  similarity  in 
features  and  manners  and  mode  of  life  of  the  deni- 
zens of  the  frigid  zones,  and  arguing  upon  the 
analagoas  migrations  of  the  European  and  Asiatic 
nomads,  they  accounted  for  the  existence  of 
the  Southern  Americans  by  the  continual  pres- 
sure of  a  rapidly  increasing  population  from  the 
north. 

"  But  even  when  the  discoveries  of  Russia  appa- 
rently corroborated  this  hypothesis,  the  tide  of  dis- 
cussion was  not  checked,  but  merely  diverted  into 
fresh  and  new  channels.  Almost  every  nation  of 
the  Old  World  setup  its  claim  in  turn  for  the  honor 
of  having  given  birth  to  the  new  hemisphere ;  the 
Jews,  Canaanites,  Carthagenians,  Greeks,  Scy- 
thians, Chinese  and  many  others,  have  all  found 
zealous  advocates  for  their  respective  claims." 

At  all  events  the  discussion  has  occasioned  a  most 
zealous  research  in  all  the  historical  records  procu- 
rable, and  if  it  has  done  nothing  more  to  the  eluci- 
dation of  American  history,  would  have  been  use- 


i 


ful  in 
the  hat 
though 
is  inves 
has  dor 
the  tru 
that  ea 
will  de 
push  hi 
displ'0^ 
in  thei 
who  c( 
viewR 
It  i! 
aids  ai 
eiiiii"e 
It  was 
omers 
well  ii 
could 
showt 
glass 
when 
befov 
to  pa 
Now 
with 
fact  ] 
This 


7NTl<0rV'CTI0N. 


11 


tns  in  the 
uspices  of 
of   those 
^ernatural 
y  natural 
sibility    of 
ous  north- 
Asia  on 
ilarity  in 
the  deni- 
npon   the 
Id  Asiatic 
tence    of 
Lial    pres- 
from   the 

sia  appa- 
ie  of  diS' 
Jrted  into 
nation  of 
he  honor 
lerej  the 
^s,     Scy- 

ill  found 

s." 

d  a  most 
s  procu- 
he  eluci* 
een  use- 


ful in  briiii^lng  to  light  maay  valuable  facts :  ''  as 
the  hammer  of  the  geologist  may  strike  out  a  gem, 
though  he  may  lose  the  course  of  the  stratum  l)e 
is  investigating."  But  in  our  opinion  the  research 
has  done  more  than  this,  and  really  brought  to  light 
the  true  history  of  our  country.  The  great  fault  is 
that  each  inquirer  begins  on  a  particular  theory  and 
will  devote  himself  entirely  to  its  extension,  at  once 
pushhig  from  its  course  all  that  he  finds  tends  to  its 
disproval.  Such  investigators  are,  however,  useful 
in  their  own  way  and  accumulate  facts  for  those 
who  come  after  them  to  use,  and  by  combining  the 
views  of  all  discern  the  truth. 

I  It  is  singular  how  much  one  branch  of  science 
aids  another,  and  will  often  make  that  a  matter  of 

f  entire  certainty  which  was  before  mere  conjecture. 
It  was  for  a  long  time  a  disputed  point  with  astron- 
omers, whether  the  sun  was  a  centre  of  light  as 
well  as  heat,  and  tiiis  probjem,  astronomy  by  itself 
could  not  solve.  Chemistry  came  to  its  aid  and 
showed  that  the  rays  of  heat  were  transparent  to 
glass  in  proportion  as  the  source  was  intense  from 
whence  they  emanated.  A  pane  of  glass  placed 
before  a  common  fire,  will  allow  the  rays  of  light 
to  pass  though  it ;  but  is  opaque  to  those  of  heat. 
Now  the  warming  rays  will  pass  through  glass, 
with  as  much  facility  as  the  illuminating  ones  ;  a 
fact  known  to  every  person  in  the  burning  glass. 
This  of  course  places  the  question  of  the  sun's  heat 


:" 


1 


/; 


ill 


12 


INTRODUCTION. 


beyond  doubt.  In  the  same  maimer  has  geology 
come  to  the  help  of  the  antiquarian  and  proves  the 
existence  of  the  disputed  isie  of  Atlantis. 

Every  man  is  interresied  in  the  history  of  his 
own  couulry  and  more  especially  is  this  the  case 
with  Americans.  To  g/aUfy  this  desire,  the  idea 
has  been  suggested  by  the  general  attention  g'.vcu 
to  the  discovery  of  Simii,  that  a  popular  work 
combining  all  the  facts  ]<;ncwn  in  relation  to  the 
early  sellling  of  America,  would  prove  highly  ac- 
ceptable and  be  both  interesting  and  instructi\e,  and 
lor  this  object  the  present  little  work  was  prepared. 


In 
tlynai 
sirttl 
a  solei 
iroldei 


20Iogy 
oves  the 


of  his 
he  case 
hft  idea 

i     g'^VGLl 

'   work 

to  the 

illy  ac- 


V8,  and 


epared. 


BOOK  I 


THE  MIGRATION  OF  THE  AZTECS. 


In  the  reign  of  Azelniic  the  eighlh  king  of  its  second 
tlynasly  A'e^mider  of  Macedon  came  before  Tyie  and  de- 
wind  adniission  into  tlie  cily  in  order,  he  preiemled  to  olfer 
a  solemn  sacrifice  to  Hercules.  Tlie  Tyrians  s^enL  him  a 
(golden  crown  in  token  of  respect  and  friendship,  hui  forbid 
his  entrance,  declaring  that  it  was  their  purpose  at  every 
hazard  to  preserve  their  independance. 

Ale.vander  considering  this  messuage  as  an  insnit  to  his 
pride,  wlien  he  heard  it  was  greatly  angered  ;  and  making 
a  pretext  of  their  refusal,  at  once  declared  war,  giving  out 
his  determination  to  possess  the  city  at  any  hazard;  for 
from  the  ready  access  it  alforded  to  the  sea,  it  would,  if 
gained,  make  him  master  of  the  surrounding  coast.  Tyre 
had  been  originally  founded  by  a  colony  from  Sidon,  which 
city  was  named  after  its  founder,  the  eldest  son  of  Canaan. 
The  people  of  Phcenecia  (Canaan)  had  inherited  from 
their  ancester  Noah  all  his  love  of  ship-builmg  which  had 
been  fostered  by  so  long  practice,  and  at  the  general  divis- 
ion of  land  took,  in  conseciuence,  for  their  share  a  maratime 
position  on  the  Mediterranean.  1. 

1.  After  the  confusion  of  tongues  and  dispersion  from 
the  tower  of  Babel,  the  posterity  of  Noah  divided  the  land 
among  them.  Japhet  took  the  western  portion  ;  his  son 
Gomer  had  the  extreme  west  and  isles  of  the  sea,  while 
Shem  moved  eastward  and  northeasterly.  Japhet  was  prom- 
ised that  God  would  enlarge  him  and  the  wonderful  extent 
of  his  possess'ons  and  increase  of  his  descendants  proves, 
the  exact  fulfilment  of  the  promise.  Japhet  is  known  iu 
profane  history  as  Neptune,  aud  his  son  Gomer  as  Atlas. 


\^ 


ill 


1 1 


(■i 


14 


HIRAM    K\Sn     or    TYKir.. 


I 


Annoyed  at  tlic  proximity  of  the  tribe  of  Asher,  after  the 
nntraiicc  of  Joshua  into  (he  promised  land,  the  niobtei'.Lcr- 
prisiiiii'  of  the  Sidonia,ns  luid  founded  at  a  (Hslance  of  lliirty- 
five  miles  fronj  SidoM  (he  present  city,  which  v»as  llien  built 
on  the  main  land  and  had  easy  convenience  to  the  sen.  It 
soon  rose  to  a  degree  of  opulence  and  grandeur  unequalled 
m  ancient  times.  People  from  afar  came  to  view  the  cele- 
brated city  which  stood  on  a  hill  with  the  advantage  of 
nearness  to  the  water  and  elevation  over  the  surroundiufj;' 
country.  When  they  returned  home  the  traveller:^  lold 
of  the  manufactures  in  glass  and  working  in  metals  ;  and 
also  the  wonderful  miinner  in  which  nature  had  favored 
them  by  causing  to  live  on  liieir  sea-i^hore  a  little  nliell  ti^h 
wiiich  was  a  source  of  immense  profit,  (he  pun;  juice  of  the 
animal  formed  the  Syrian  dye,  a  purple  of  so  rare  and 
beautiful  color  as  to  be  worn  only  by  princes  and  emperors. 

Tiie  people  of  Tyre  well  aware  (hat  it  v.  as  to  commerce 
they  owed  tlie  prosperity  they  enjoyed,  were  jealous  of  al- 
lowing others  (.0  share  their  advantages ;  so  stern,  indeed, 
were  they  on  this  point,  that  although  other  nations  were 
assisted  in  sea  voyages  and  explorations,  yet  these  tii ust,  be 
performed  in  Tyrian  ships,  aanned  by  Tyrian  sailors 
and  directed  by  Tyrian  pilots. 

At  flrsL  the  people  were  governed  by  supieme  judges,  aided 
by  a  cotmcil  of  advisers  ;  hut  on  the  children  of  Israel  obtain- 
ing a  Iving,  the  Tyreans  followed  their  example,  Ahibal  was 
elected    and  after   his  death   Hiram   his  son  ascended  the 


o 


When  Solomon  succeeded  to  his  father  David's  king- 
dom. Hiram  sent  embassadors  to  him  with  greeting  and 
ofTers  of  friendship.  Solomon  in  returning  thanks  sent  mes- 
sagers  with  the  following  letter. 


throne, 
raising 
He  als( 
temple 
by  a  bi 
adornei 


SOLOMON   TO  KING    HiRAM. 


Know  thou  that  my  father  would  have  built  a  temple 
to  God,  and  was  hindered  by  wars  and  continual  expedi- 
tions ;  for  he  did  not  leave  off  to  overthrow  his  enemies  till 
he  made  them  all  subject  to  tribute.  But  I  give  thanks  to 
God  for  the  peace  I  at  present  eDJoy.  and  on  that  account  I 


niRAM    AND    SOLOMON, 


i5 


I  ft  or  I  he 

•St  01  lie  1- 

)!'  tliirry- 
ien  built 
se;i.  It 
^quailed 
;he  ceie- 
tage  of 
ouiidiiin- 
era  lold 
Is  ;  and 

favored 
I  ell  Ml 
e  of  the 
lie  and 
iiperois. 
lumerce 
s  of  ai- 

indeed, 
ns  were 
iTiUsL  be 

sailois 

5,  aided 
obtain- 
)al  was 
.led  tJie 


's  king- 
ig  and 
nt  mes- 


throne.  Hiram  made  many  extensive  improvomentfe, 
raising  the  enstern  part  higher  and  enlarging  the  city  itself. 
He  also  built  many  temples  to  the  gods,  and  joined  the 
temple  of  Hercules,  which  before  stood  by  itself,  to  the  city, 
by  a  bank  in  tlie  middle  between  them,  and  this  temple  lie 
adorned  with  many  donations  of  golden  ornaments.  2. 


temple 
ixpedi- 
lies  till 
nks  to 
ount  I 


am  at  leisure,  and  design  to  build  a  house  to  God.  For  God 
foretokl  to  my  father  that  such  a  habitation  sliould  be  erected 
by  me.  Therefore  I  desire  thee  to  send  some  of  thy  sub- 
jects with  mine  to  Mount  Lebanon,  to  cut  down  timbers,  for 
the  Sidonians  are  more  skilful  than  our  people  in  cutting  of 
wood.  As  for  wages  to  the  hewers  of  wood,  I  will  pay 
whatever  price  thou  shalt  determine. 

Kinor  Hiram  was  pleased  with  the  letter  and  rejoiced  that 
he  might  have  an  opportunity  of  serving  Solomon,  for  he 
was  liberal  and  benilicent  to  all,  and  desirous  besides  to  as- 
sist a  prince  of  whose  wisdom  and  might  so  much  had  been 
said.     He  therefore  wrote  back  the  answer. 

KING  HIRAM  TO  KING  SOLOMON. 

It  is  fit  to  bless  God,  that  he  hath  committed  thy  father's 
government  for  thee,  who  art  a  wise  man  and  endowed  with 
all  virtues.  As  to  myself  1  rejoice  at  the  condition  thou  arf 
in  ;  and  will  be  subservient  to  thee  in  all  that  thou  sendest 
to  me  about.  For  when  my  subjects  have  cut  down  many  and 
large  trees  of  cedar  and  cypress  wood.  I  will  send  them  to 
sea  and  order  my  subjects  to  make  floats  of  them,  and  to 
sail  to  what  place  soever  of  thy  country  thou  shalt  desire, 
and  leave  them  there.  After,  which  thy  subjects  may  carry 
them  to  Jerusalem. 

This  was  the  commencement  of  much  pleasant  and 
familiar  intercourse  between  Hiram  and  Solomon :  and  the 
workmen  of  Tyre  did  the  monarch  of  Israel  great  and  im- 
portant service  by  their  skill  in  the  working  of  wood  and 
timber,  more  especially  was  this  the  case  with  a  man 
named  Kiram  whose  mother  was  a  daughter  of  the  tribe 
of  the  Israelite  Naphtali,  but  his  father  a  Tyrean  worker 
in  brass.     The  skill  of  the  father  had  beea  great  but  the 


16 


lt.^baal    king    of   tyke 


>l 


Ethbyjil  king  of  Tyre  and  Siiion,  a  successor  of  Hiram, 
married  his  daughter  Jezabel  to  Ahab,  king  of  Israel,  and 
by  this  means  extended  the  worship  of  Idois  to  a  great  ex- 
tent among  the  Isiraeliies  ;  this  caused  a  severe  drought  in 
the  laud  wfiich  did  not  cease  until  the  propheis  of  Baal  were 
all  slaughtered  that  resided  in  Israel;  and  that  not  sufficing 
to  cure  Ahab  of  idolatry  he  al<o  was  himself  killed  with  his 
wife  Jezabel,  whose  blood  the  dogs  licked.  3. 


son  excelled  him.  for  he  was  filled  with  wisdom  and  under- 
standing and  Ctmniug  to  work  all  works  in  brass.  And  he 
was  sent  fur  by  king  Solomon  and  came  to  him  and  wrought 
all  his  works. 

In  return  for  the  kindness  of  Hiram,  for  he  had  furnished 
accordiDg  to  desire  cedar  and  fir  trees  and  gold  and  work- 
men Solomon  presented  him  with  a  district  of  country  in 
Galilee,  containing  twenty  cities.  Then  Hiram  came  out 
from  Tyre  to  ace  the  cities  which  Solomon  had  given  him 
and  they  pleased  him  not  and  he  said :  what  cities  are 
tho^^e  that  iluiu  hast  given  me  my  brother;  and  lie  called 
tiiem  Oabul,  the  land  of  Displeasure.  But  king  Solomon 
sent  him  word  that  the  cities  he  had  given  were  conquered 
by  himself  in  war,  and  that  only  such  were  in  his  power  to 
dispose  of;  the  laws  of  Israel  declaring  that  each  family 
had  a  right  to  its  own  land  by  divine  appointment  and  that 
it  could  not  be  alienated  forever.  When  Hiram  understood 
the  matter  he  was  satisfied  and  sent  Solomon  many  talents 
of  gold,  and  there  was  peace  between  them. 

lliram,  moreover,  sent  hard  words  and  curious  sa^nngs  to 
Solomon,  and  desired  he  would  return  answers  to  them 
or  pay  money  if  he  failed.  This  he  did  to  try  his  wisdom. 
Now  so  saofacious  and  full  of  understanding  was  Solomon 
that  he  gave  answers  to  all  of  them;  nor  were  they  too 
hard  for  him,  but  that  he  discoverod  the  meaning  and 
brought  it  to  light.  Solotnon  then  sent  riddles  to  lliram 
whereby  Hiram  would  have  lost  great  sums  of  money  were 
it  not  that  a  man  named  Abdermon  offered  himself  to  the 
king  as  one  who  could  understand  hidden  meanings  ;  and 
Abdermon  explained  all  the  dark  sayings. 

3.  Pygmalion  a  successor  of  Ethbuai  exceed  most  of  the 


The  1 

mosiiy  t( 
rival  the 
was  take 
but  tl.e  t 
against 
tered  gre 
and  wal 
ble  in  go 

■ 

Tyrian 
Dido,  an 
of  anoth 
tined  b) 
for  this 
would  h 
and  reMc' 
whereevi 

4.     T 

Janncr  I 
with  the 
during  tl 
Assyria  < 
Tyre  wr 
on  the  > 
This  ac 
nations, 
But  the 
and  plai 
tlipui  frc 
continue 
scio-e  an 
their  wa 
consider 

5.  1 
The  spii 
itself  in 
a  servar 


SIEGE     or    TYRE. 


17 


The  Tyrians  after  these  occnnances  felt  the  tleepesl  ani 
niopiiy  to  llio  cliildieu  ol'  Israt^l,  wlio  1.  ^ides  had  l)i'»;im  to 
rival  llieiii  in  conmu'rce  ;  and  \\lu^n  afirrwiiids  .h  lu^•,  kni 
was  taken  by  the  king  of  Assyria,  e.Milted  in  iier  downfall ;  4 
but  tlie  tiinnih  was  premature,  the  same  conqueror  came 
against  Tyre,  took  it  alter  a  seisfc  of  tliirloen  years,  blaugh- 
tered  great  uunib(;rs  of  their  people,  tore  down  the  houses 
and  walls  of  their  city  and  carried  oH'  whatever  was  vahia- 
ble  in  goods  and  merchandise.  5. 

..  ■■  II — _. —  ..■■—   — —         ■    -  >■ — .—  ....  .■..»_      I.  ^   — ..  ,1 .    I.III .1     I  > 

Tyrian  kings  in  wickedness;  he  cruelly  used  his  sister 
Dido,  and  her  hu?;baiid  CMcliaeu^,  which  led  to  the  t'ounditig 
of  another  colony  on  the  shores  of  the  Mediterranean  des- 
tined by  its  success  in  commerce  to  eclipse  all  nations  ;  but 
for  this  colony  the  religious  ceremonies  of  the  Tyrians 
would  have  been  lost,  as  it  is  their  customs  were  preserved 
and  rendered  capable  of  beiiig  identified  with  similar  rites 
whereever  found. 


4.  They  evidently  exulted  without  any  apprehension  of 
danu'cr  to  themselves,  as  they  had  already  measured  arms 
with  the  Assyrians,  and  gained  the  victory.  This  was 
during  the  reign  of  Elulens,  when  Shalmanasnr  king  of 
Assyria  overran  all  the  land  of  rhcenecia.  The  people  of 
Tyre  would  not  submit  to  him,  but  fu4ight  him  in  their  i>hi|ts 
on  the  water,  and  carried  oil'  over  five  hundred  prisoners. 
This  action  gave  them  great  fame  among  the  snrronndiiig 
nalionp,  and  inflated  still  more  a  piide  already  inoidmatt'. 
Ent  the  king  of  Assyria  irritated  at  theif  sncces?,  returned 
and  placed  guards  at  the  river  and  atjuedncis  to  hinder 
tlipm  from  the  drinking  of  the  water;  this  stale  of  things 
continued  five  years  and  still  the  Tyreians  maintained  the 
sfige  and  procurred  supplies  of  water  by  digging  wells  inside 
their  walls.  The  final  retreat  of  Shalmanasor  made  them 
consider  the  defences  of  their  city  invincible. 

5.  The  people  of  Tyre  were  often  subjects  of  prophesy. 
The  spirit  of  their  ancestor  Ham  would  continually  develop 
itself  in  w^anton  and  insulting  actions.  "  Cursed  be  Canaan, 
a  servant  of  servants  shall  he  be  to  his  brethren,"  were  the 


18 


UUILDING    OP    TVRE. 


This  unfortunate  occurrence  for  a  long  time  depressed 
the  spirits  of  the  people,  but  at  the  end  of  seventy  years, 
they  commenced  building  again  on  the  old  site :  as  they 
were  proceeding  in  their  labors,  the  sea  arose  and  rendered 
the  place  uninhabitable.  On  this  they  removed  to  an  island 
five  miles  distant  and  commenced  building  anew ;  their  en- 
terprising spirit  did  not  desert  them,  a  magnificent  city  rap- 
idly arose,  and  again  was  theii  present  habitation  the  glory 
of  the  country  renowned  for  wealth  and  grandeur.  Dis- 
pleased with  the  race  of  Ahibal,  they  had  appointed  the  family 

inspired  words  of  Noah  when  he  discovered  the  indignity  his 
son  Ham  had  but  upon  him  in  his  drunkenness.  The 
denunciation,  it  will  be  observed  was  not  against  all  the 
children  of  the  offender,  but  only  against  those  who  would 
imbibe  that  ungrateful  son's  spirit. 

The  prophecy  of  Ezekiel  is  worth  recording  in  connec- 
tion with  the  taking  of  Tyre  the  first  time  and  the  comple- 
tion of  its  fulfilment  the  second. 

PROPHECY     OF    EZEKIEL. 

"  Because  Tyrus  hath  said  against  Jerusalem :  she  is 
broken  that  was  the  gates  of  the  people ;  she  is  turned  unto 
me,  1  shall  be  replenished  now  that  she  is  laid  waste  ;  there- 
fore thus  saith  the  Lord  God ;  Behold  I  am  agaitist  the  O 
Tyrus  and  will  cause  many  nations  to  come  up  against  thee 
as  the  sea  causeih  his  wares  to  come  up.  And  they  shall 
destroy  the  walls  of  Tyrus  and  break  down  her  towers ;  I 
will  also  scrape  the  dust  from  her,  and  make  her  like  the 
top  of  a  rock.  It  shall  be  a  place  for  the  spreading  of  nets 
in  the  midst  of  the  sea ;  for  I  have  spoken  it  saith  the  Lord 
God,  and  it  shall  become  a  spoil  to  the  nations.  And  her 
daughters  which  are  in  the  field  shall  be  slain  by  the  sword  ; 
and  they  shall  know  that  I  am  the  Lord. 

For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  ;  Behold  I  will  bring  upon 
Tyrus,  Nebuchadnezar  king  of  Babylon,  a  king  of  kings, 
from  the  north  with  horses  and  with  chariots  and  with 
horsemen  and  companies  and  much  people.  He  shall  slay 
with  the  sword  thy  daughters  in  the  field :  and  he  shall 
make  a  fort  against  thee  andca.t  a  mount  against  thee,  and 


(>[■  Snato  I 
ciolitli  kin 


iocl; 
'I'' 


The  T} 

land,   enc 
luuidL-e'.l  a 
hii'iQ  and  t 
•itul  on  ti 
•.o'y.'.i  of  g. 
'imo   lbrc( 
Alcxan 
..f  their  \)' 
U)  counet?. 
sea  bet  we 
extend  th 
Alihou, 
of  MaceJ 
th^^ir  kind 
had  to  do 
I  and  more 
r  ships,  bca 
■,  destroyed 
I  linuai  an' 
of  Alexai 
j  ihe   mcai 
I  the  Tyrio 


mg  se 


lift  up  th 
of  war  a 
down  th 
horses  th 
at  the  nc 
chariots, 
into  a  cii 
his  hors 
slay  thy 
go  down 
riches,  a 


.•tIKGK     OF      rvUL, 


19 


epressed 
y  years, 
as  they 
rendered 
n  island 
their  en- 
city  rap- 
be  glory 
r.  Dis- 
e  family 

^nity  his 
3.  The 
.  all  the 
:t  would 

connec- 
comple- 


i)[  Sirato  to    .succeed   it,   and    it  was    hieniioned    before  the 
(iohtii  king'  of  tli  j;  now  dynasty  sat  on  l)ic  throne  when  war 


she  is 
ed  unto 
;  there- 
it  the  O 
list  thee 
ey  shall 
^'ers ;  I 
like  the 
oi"  nets 
e  Lord 
Lnd  her 
sword  ; 

g  upon 
'  kings, 
d  with 
all  slay 
16  shall 
ee,  and 


VVHH 


,  joclaimcd  l.v  the  kint?  ol'  Macedon. 


Tlie  Tyrians  derided  his  message;  their  city  was  strongly 
;.,r'!*l.ul  It  stOi  d  o:i  aii  i-sland  half  a  mile  from  tl'c  main 
laiul,  encompas-jed  on  all  sides  by  an  immense  wall  one 
hiuidt-etl  and  fifty  feel,  high  leaving  no  space  between  its 
base  and  the  sea.  Frons  the  land  it  could  not  be  assailed, 
and  on  tlie  watcrj'tlic  Tyrians  possessed  a  nunserous  arma- 
;n'.';:t  of  gall.eyr?,  sufdcieiU.  they  thought,  to  defeat  any  maro- 
'iiiio   force  brought  agidnft  them. 

Alexander  afi.er  a  carefui  examination  of  the  advantagra 
■A  their  pos.:lion,  saw  that  his  only  chance  for  sacoess,  wan 
10  connect  li^e  island  wi'ii  tlie  main  land  by  fdling  sip  the 
sea  between  them,  a;-sd  by  thus  making  an  immense  pier 
oxtead  the  siiore  to  the  footcf  the  walls  ! 

Alihoiigh  ihe  sea  was  of  considerable  depth,  the  poldier^ 
of  Macedon  resolutely  undertook  to  accomplish  the  desire  of 
thiir  king,  and  accordindv commenced  the  works;  but  they 
f  had  to  do  with  an  enemy  as  brave  and  skillful  asthetnselveo, 
■  and  more  coiilideni  of  t:;acces3  ;  for  the  Tyrians  manned  their 
;  ships,  beat  oif  the  soldiers  who  were  toiling,  and   scornfully 
destroyed  the  fruits  of  their  labor^i.     Maddened  by   this  con- 
finua!  and  eftectuai  opposition  it  required  the  entire  strength 
of  Alexander's   mind  to  keep  down   his  rage  and  contrive 
die   means  of  suceess.     Finding  it  was  necessitry  to  meet 
die  Tyriauis  on  the  sea,  he  collected  from  all    the  neighbor- 
ing seaports  under  his  control  a   large   fleet;  these  battled 


lift  up  the  buckler  against,  thee.  And  he  shall  set  engines 
of  v;ar  against  thy  walls,  and  with  his  axes  shall  he  break 
down  thy  towers.  By  reason  of  the  abundance  of  his 
horses  their  dust  shall  cover  thee  :  thy  walls  shall  shake 
ai  tiie  noise  of  the  horsemen,  and  of  the  wheels  and  of  tlie 
chariots,  when  he  shall  enter  thy  gates,  as  men  enter 
into  a  city  v/herein  is  made  a  breach.  With  the  hoofs  of 
his  horses  shall  he  tread  down  all  thy  streets  ;  he  shall 
slay  thy  people  by  the  sword  and  thy  strong  garrisons  shall 
godown  to  the  ground.  And  they  shall  make  a  spoil  of  thy 
riches,  and  make  a  prey  of  thy  merchandise  ;  and  they  shall 


20 


SIEGK    OF    T'yR!  . 


\vii.!i  tiie  defenders  of  tlie  citv,  wiio  were  at  lenoffh  driver:  1)t 


Sll 


pf!l 


lor 


mirubers  nuder  their  ov.rj   walls   jor  snti'fv.   where         tl 


ill  deep  ^rief  and    anger  ih,  y  saw   iiio  Mucedoniin's  jirepa 
r.iiiuns  widsoiit  jiowcr  to  rct.-ird  ihen.. 

IiiCM'dihle  ;  s  was  the  liibnr  and  liHiguc    that  nilenc'i  d  tls;* 
execniiun  of  the   work^',  they  now   proceeded  with  innuense 


rn 


l>' 


dif 


To  form  the  niotind    from    the  cnniincnl    'o    llie 


island  the  ruins  of  old  T\\c  avoided   lendy  ntai'-rinls   and 

nil  that,    could  he  obtained  in   this   way    was    jjatheied  a).d         tl 


tfcrap 


d.    t> 


la  the  seventh  month  of  the  siege  the  piei  was  completed.     I 

The    b.'>:iegerj    lost    no    finie,  for  all  having;    been    prepared 

for  ihe  expecteil   uionieni,  their  engines  were    run    against 

the  walls  and  conirnened  battering-  ilieni,  while  their    lieet 

s;tde<l  round  lo  ihe  otlier  side  of  i.iie  city  to  endeavor  vO  guiii 

aduuuynce  hv  means  ol   a  pier.       At    hniifh  ;»  I)rra«'h    wa^ 

elK'cied    and    the    r>Iac<.'doniai\s  enirrcd   il;n    eiiy  pniiiug  all 

who  oppos(:;ii  theio  to  til'.'  sword.     M'he  Tyri.uis    longht    (Jes- 

pcialei)  (Voin  ihe  I'uift ;  ihcir  kini^  A/.eln.ic  chained  \\\v  st.aiue 

ot"  l-i(M(:ules.  In  ihe  prineipiil  i'har  of  the  cilv,  lo  koep  him  from 

dcseriing  them.     Th;'  deiencc  was  n)ade  in  vain,  the  enemy 

were   suc-essud.   aiid   Ai'\ai»der.   irritated  to  madjipss,  now 

gave  iuli  vent  u>    his   jini ms  nnssions,   and  •'Ithoiigh  ei-iht 

thousand  oj   the  iniiabilanls  had   been   killed  in  tlie  assault, 

with  savage  b:ubari(y  crucified   two  thousand   of  tlieui  anfi 

sold  ihirtv  thousaiid  more  as  slaves. 


breakdown  ihy  widls  and  destroy  thy  pleasant  houses:  ".r.d 
they  shall  lay  thy  stores  and  thy  dust  isi  the  middle  of  ihi 
'\vater.  And  I  will  ca>ise  the  noise  of  thy  song-s  to  cease: 
and  the  sound  of  thy  harps  shall  be  no  more  heard.  And 
I  will  make  thee  like  ih^'  top  of  a  roi-k :  thou  slialt  be  a 
place  to  spread  nets  upon;  ihou  shalt  be  built  no  more,  {o\- 
I  the  liord  have  spoken  it,  saith  the  liord  Cod.'' 

It  will  be  seen  in  the  ensuing  pages  how  literally  trie 
proplujcy  was-fulrtllcd,  ai^i  how  ihnt  after  trying  lo  rebuild 
the  city  the  sea  rose  up  and  spoiled  their  labors. 

6.  Thus  was  the  very  dust  scraped  from  the  walls  of  old 
Tyre  as  Ezekiei  had  prophesied. 


Sidon, 

aiider,  foil 

le  Sidon 

inhabit  un| 

allow  an; 

aant  prt»cl 

they  luid| 

them  that 

fall    th 

the    Side  I 

their  insti 

The  Sl 

enough  v 

the  iuhal 

emerge  111 

world,  ai 

and.'r  by 

This  i^ 

westwari 

He  was  t 


7.  Foi 

whole  sc 

tants  of  t 

pass  ovei 

whose  a 

carry  he 

sel  agaii 

princes, 

He  stret 

kingdoir 

(he  mere 

he  said  i 

pass  ot 

rest." 

This 

"  that  th 

I    gleanin; 

■    was  it  tl 

ported  1 

passed  « 


SlDONfANS    ACT     AS  FRIENDS. 


21 


Jiiver:  bv 
y.  wliere 
iV'  prcpa 

Mi(';  (I  t!::' 
iinmciisae 
It  'o  llic 
rifils  am:! 
ered  uj.ci 

ornnleted. 

prepared 

I    against 

leir   Ifeet 

Uf'h  wa'^: 
H(iiii2'  all 
lijht  des- 
lu"  slaiuc 
Ihd)  tVoiu 
le  enemy 
ip.-s.  now* 
igh  tM-i'ht, 
as^aidf, 
UMM  an;! 


IOC    •        ^7  »-^  H 

■--'■,       .  .  *  1  vl 

c  of  (hi 
o  cease  : 
d.  And 
alt  !i«;  a 
More,  for 

ally    fir*^ 
o  lehuild 


!s  of  old 


Sidon,  which  had  submitted  without  a  struggle  to  Alex- 
ander, found  favor  in  his  sight ;  so  much  so  that  h3  allowed 
die  Sidoniand  to  carry  oH"  tifteen  thousand  of  the  ill-fated 
inhabitants  of  Tyre  to  another  country  for  hd  ret'ussed  to 
alliiw  any  of  them  to  remain  in  the  city.  This  exilj  rem- 
iiiiiit  proceeded  down  the  Mediterranean  to  Cyprus  where 
they  had  intended  to  stop;  but  messengers  cami;  to  inform 
tliem  that  whatever  place  received  themotithat  place  should 
fall  th,^  vengeance  of  Alexander  ;  and  also  a  message  to 
the  Sidcnians  from  the  Macedonian  monarch,  desiring 
their  instant  return. 

The  Sidonians  thus  forced  to  depart  suddenly,  left  ships 
enough  with  the  Tyrians  to  enable  them  to  leave  Cyprujii, 
I  he  inhabitants  of  which  refused  to  receive  them.  Jn  ihi.: 
emergency  they  determined  to  leave  that  quarter  of  the 
worlil,  and -put  themselves  beyond  the  vengeance  of  Alex- 
and.'r  by  crossing  the  waters  to  the  isle  of  Atlantis.  7. 

This  island  belonged  to  a  king  named  Atlas  who  dwelt 
westward  and  whose  dominion  extended  over  a  vast  domain. 
He  was  the  great  patriarch  as  weU'as  king  of  western  Eu- 

7.  Four  hundred  years  before  the  destruction  had  the 
whole  scene  been  painted  by  Josiah.  ''Be  still  ye  inhabi- 
tants of  the  isle  ;  thou  whom  the  merchants  of  Sidon,  that 
pass  over  the  sea  have  replenished.  Is  this  yuur  joyous  citv, 
whose  antiquity  is  of  ancient  days  7  /ler  own  feet  .shall 
carry  her  ufar  off  to  sojourn.  VVho  hath  taken  this  coun- 
sel against  Tyre,  the  crowing  city,  whose  merchants  are 
princes,  whose  traffickers  are  the  honorable  of  the  earth. 
He  stretidied  out  his  hand  over  the  sea,  he  shook  the 
kingdoms;  the  Lord  hath  given  a  conmiandmeiit  against 
the  merchant  city  to  destroy  the  strong  holds  thereof.  And 
he  said  thou  shalt  no  more  rejoice  daughter  of  Sidon  :  arise 
pass  over  to  Chittim:  there  also  thou  shalt  have  no 
rest.^^  « 

This  exile  remnant  were  those  of  whom  Isaiah  saiii 
"that  they  should  be  as  the  shaking  of  an  olive  tree,  as  the 
gleaning  of  grapes  when  the  vintage  is  done."  How  truly 
was  it  that  her  own  fleet  (her  old  friends  wiio  had  often  sup- 
ported her)  should  carry  her  oil'  to  sojourn,  and  that  once 
passed  over  to  Chittim  (Cyprus)  she  found  no  more  rest. 


J  i 


iti 


22 


IM.AM)   Ot   AILANTlb. 


\-oy)e.  It  WHS  stnd  that  liii  en)[)ire  rearhed  to  the  utmost 
p'gioiis  of  thr  wtjr-i  and  to  tiiat,  sea  wher*'  tlie  liorscs  of  iho 
f"un,  woarieii  wilh  (heir  flaily  course,  irlV<sh  themselves.  A 
ihousauil  rtncks  fd  in  his  wide  e\ten<icil  j)laiiis  and  of  all  ht 
was  the  owner.  IFe  i)ad  nuuiy  '".hildien  ;  the  most  lanious  | 
was  Ilesperia.  lie  had  likewise  several  danghtoii?  who  were 
in  posse-^tion  of  ihc  extrcnio  islands  of  the  west  between 
Atl'iinis  and  Enrope.  ■ 

llercnlos   had,   many   generations    before   wliile  aiicieu 
Tyre  was  in  exisle.ice,  made  a  voyage  ui  one  of  their  ships 
r^'iid  crossing  thu  Medetcrranean  payjed  tlnonj?ii  the  straits  ol 
Gibralter,  which  from  tiiatcircnnistance  bore  his  name,  bcin^ 
called  the  Pillars  of  Hercules.  8     Still  continuing  his   jour- 


8.  Theanci'Mit  writers  tell  thai  Hercules  \isi!ed  ihc  ibianus 
of  Hesperide^j  to  partake  of  the  fruit,  (oranges,  pomgramates 
etc.)  he  was  assisted  in  tiris  by  the  race  of  Atlas.    Lempriere 
gives   the  story  thus :— The   island   of    Alaiitides   or  Hes- 
perides  lay  beyond  mount  Atlas  in    Africa.     The  celebrated 
iisiand  contained  gardens  abounding  with  fiuits  of  the  most 
delicious  kind  and  was  carefully  ouarded  by  a  dreadful  dra 
gon  (the   great  deep;  wiiich  qever   slept.     It  v/as  one  of  the 
labors  of  Hercules  to  procure  some  of    the  golden    apples 
(oranges,  called  llesppTice  fruit  by  the  ancients)  of  the  iles- 
peredes.      The  hero,    ignorant  of  the  r.ituation  of  this  cele- 
brated garden,  applied  in  the  nymph^:  in  the  neighborhood 
of  the  Po  for  information;  and  was  told  that  Nereus,  the  god 
of  the  sea  would  direct  him  in  his  pursuit.     Hercules  seized 
Nereus    (the  sea)  while  he  was  asleep,  (calm)   and  the   sea 
god  unable  to  escape  from  his  grasp,  answered  all  the  ques- 
tions which  he  proposed.     When  Hercules  came  into  Africa 
he  demanded  three  of  the   golden  apples.     Atlas  unloaded 
himseif  and  placed  the  burd<?a  of  the  heavens  on  the  shoul 
ders  of  Hercules,  whflc  he  Atias  (or  the  :ace  of  Atlas)  went 
in  quest  oi  the  apples.     At  liis  return  Hercules  expiessed 
his  wish  to  ease   the  burden  hy  putting  something  on  his 
head,  and  when  Atlas  assisted  him  to  reujovc   his  incon 
venience,  Hercules  artfully  left   the  burden  and  seized  the 
apples  which  Atlas  had  thrown  on  the  ground  (that  is,  took 
advantage  of  \m  discoveiiee) 


nev  west 

» 

brouoht 
lb;  Tyrii 
an  accou 
cuvtrios 
titled  out 
returned 

0.  Ph 
Atlantis  I 
TiniBeu;: 
bic  and  y 
the  seven 
very  mu( 
origin  ; 
Egypt  w 
lion. 

•'  One 
pricrt  of 
isald  to  h 
there  is  i 
science   < 
that  gem 
terity.     J 
of   your 
divinity  1 
'All  t 
sands  of 
aril  goiuj 
the  re  vol 
'Our 
of  a  gre£ 
unjustly 
fordible. 
you  call 
island  w 
From  th 
was  easi 
'Inti 
midable. 


VOYA'Jl      OF    HKRCULK8. 


V 
V 


le  utinos' 
SOS  of  the 
elves.  A 
I  of  all  ht 
sL  fanioiu 
wliu  werr 
between 

le  :iiioieiJ. 
Lheir  ships 
3  straits  o! 
me,  bcin^ 
liis  jour- 


ihc  isjiUiuis 
y)r(ian]tites 
Leiiiprieio 
s   or  Hes- 
celcbnited 
f  the  rno.si 
sadful  (Ira 
one  of  the 
en    apples 
If  the  lles- 
this  cele 
liborhood 
,  tiie  god 
les  seized 
.  tile   sea 
the  ques- 
u to  Africa 
unloaded 
he  shoul 
las)  went 
exprei^sed 
ig'  on  Ihb 
iri  incon 
seized  the 
it  is,  took 


i 


ney  westward  lie  at  last  came  v^  the  island  of  Ainniij  and 
bioiioht  from  it  nrany  rar-  and  valuaule  curiosities.  NVhen 
[\\:  Tyriaii  luariuercs  returned  home  they  gavf  tlie  citi/.ens 
an  account  of  all  the  wonders  tiiey  had  «et  n  and  tiie  di:^- 
lovtiios  (hat  had  been  made.  L'xpedilions  were  at  once 
iitiedout  for  trading  to  the  new  country  aiil  tlie  adventurers 
returned  successful  and  enriched  beyond  tlieir  modt    anguine 

'J,  Plato  gives  the  most  concise  av.<;ount  o''  the  island  of 
Atlantis  of  any  among  the  ancienty.  In  tiie  dialogue  wiih 
Tiinseus  he  says  :  '-  Hear  O  Socrute?,  a  recital  very  in;proba- 
blcand  yet  very  true,  if  we  may  believe  Solon  the  wi^.st  of 
the  seven  sages.  The  people  of  Sais  like  the  Atlieniaiig 
very  much  because  they  believe  them'^elves  of  the  samo 
origin;  wherefore  Solon  in  the  voyage  whiJi  he  made  into 
Egypt  was  received  into  that  city  witli  the  greatest  distinc- 
tion. 

•MJne  day  when  this  great  man  was  conversing  with  the 
priertof  Sais  upon  the  history  of  remote  times,  one  of  thein 
isald  to  hnn:  '•  O  Solon  you  Greeks  arc  always  eliildren  ; 
there  is  not  one  among  you  who  is  not  a  novice  in  the 
science  of  antiquity.  You  are  ignorant  of  the  exploits  of 
that  generation  of  iieroes  of  whom  you  are  the  feeble  pos- 
terity. I  am  going  to  instruct  you  in  the  achicvments 
of  your  ancesters ;  and  I  do  in  accoi dance  with  the 
divinity  who  formed  you  as  well  as  us  of  lire. 

'  All  that  has  passed  in  the  Eijyptian  monarchy  for  thou- 
saiids  of  years  is  recorded  in  our  sacred  books  ;  and  what  I 
am  going  to  tell  you  of  your  primi  ive  laws,  mariners  and 
the  revolutions  of  yonr  country  goes  back  still  further. 

'Our  calenders  relate  that  your  republic  resisted  the  efforts 
of  a  great  power  which  coming  out  of  the  Atlantic  sea  had 
unjustly  invaded  Europe  and  Asia — for  then  that  sea  was 
fordible.  Upon  its  borders  was  an  island  opposite  to  wha' 
you  call  in  your  language  the  cohimns  of  Hcicules.  This 
island  was  more  extensive  than  Lybia  and  Asia  put  together. 
From  thence  voyagers  might  pass  to  the  island  whence  it 
was  easy  for  them  to  cross  to  the  continent. 

'  In  this  Atlantis  there  were  kings  whose  power  was  for- 
midable.     It  extended  over  this   island  ns  weH  ;,.<  over  th*^ 


^4 


VOyAGE    OF    HERCULES. 


•  r 


hopes.  Gralekii  to  Hercules  for  the  sources  of  prosperity  he 
had  opened  to  llutni ;  they  made  him  the  tutelery  deiiy  or 
priiicipai  god  ci'  the  city  ;  building  a  niagnifictiu  temple  to 
his  honor,  which  Hirtiinj  as  we  have  before  seen  connected 
v.iih  tlie  cit\  and  and  greatly  ornamented. 

Oihi'r  nutiony  wished  to  join  thetn  in  these  expeditions 
biit  uli  .sucii  conjunction  the  Tyrians  sternly  disproved  and 
wouid  give  aid  in  neither  men  or  vctseii.  SiDnc  however 
c.-lin!ulated  by  ibe  love  of  enterpriee  and  the  hope  of  im- 
mense gain,  secretly  determined  lo  follow  the  path  of  Her- 
ctdes=j  but  on  emerging-  frouj  the  straits  of  Gibraltar  they  found 


adjacriit  inlands  arui  a  part  of  the;  continent.  Besides 
that  llu-y  U'igned  uvor  ail  ihe  i.'ounlrierf  bordering  Lyl)ia, 
oven  tmto  I'gypt.  and  the  side  of  Knrope  even  to  Tyr- 
rhcnia.  i'hi' sovereigns  <»f  the  Atlantis,  proud  ol' so  much 
power  attempted  to  subjugate  your  country  and  ours.  Then 
O  Solon  your  republic  showed  iti^elf  superior  to  the  rest  or 
the  world  by  its  courage  and  virtue.  It  trampled  over  the 
vVtlantes  and  preserved  as  all  from  servitude.  But  in  the 
last  times  there  ensued  innndacions  and  earthquakes;  then 
all  your  warriors  were  swallowed  up  in  the  earth  in  the 
space  of  twenty  four  hours  and  the  Atlantis  disappeared. 
Since  ihat  cataslioplie  the  sea  which  is  found  in  that  quar- 
ter is  no  longer  navigable,  on  account  of  the  mound  which 
is  formed  there,  and  which  arises  from  the  submerged 
island. 

"And  now  says  Plato  I  will  come  to  the  fads.  The  ^ods 
(sons  of  Noah)  divided  among  them  the  earth.  The  At- 
lantis was  the  portion  of  Neptune  (Japhoth)  who  had  ten 
children,  five  male  and  five  female  and  among  them  he 
divided  his  inheritance.  Atlas  (Gomer)  had  the  best  do- 
main. They  give  him  the  title  of  king  and  his  brothers  con- 
tented themselves  with  that  of  archons  (dukes). 

•'  All  these  sons  of  Neptune  as  well  as  their  descendants 
reigned  for  a  long  time  in  the  Atlantis.  The  empire  ex- 
tended itself  over  islands  stretclied  along  the  sea  and  finally 
increased  to  such  a  degree  as  to  embrace  all  the  countries 
situated  between  Tyrhenia  end  Egypt. 

"  The  family  of  Atlas  was  that  which  arrived  at  the  great- 


it  irnpo 
manage 
into  vvl 
and  dei: 
aged  g 
their  h 
d  rr.  go  n 
this  dr;i 
forced  t 
ing  the 

est  degi 
will  eve 
island  f 
fife.     1 
known 
in  valut 
nials,   c 
seen  lh( 
'^  Thi 
temples 
covered 
size ;    I 
They  h 
erect  U|] 
such  a 
fice.     1 
on  dolp 
the  kin 
"On 
royal  h 
in  wert 
"  \U, 
.•led   iv 
c  isy  si 
The 
power 
six  ye£ 
of  I  lie 
jUst    p 


VOYAGE  OF   THE   NATIONS. 


25 


speriiy  he 

'  deity   or 

tempJe  to 

connected 

xpeditions 
roved  and 
a  however 
pe  ot"  ii!i- 
ih  of  riei- 
hev  found 

Besidts; 

I  to  Tyr- 
il"  so  niu'-'li 
IS,  Then 
ihe  rest  of 
1  over  the 
But  in  the 
kes ;  then 
th  in  the 
•appeared, 
that  qnar- 
md  which 
ubnieiged 

The  ^ods 

The  At- 

fiad  ten 

them   he 

best   do- 

•ihers  con- 

sccndants 

rnpire  ex- 

nd  finally 

countries 

the  great- 


it  impossible,  u.iused  as  they  were  to  the  art  of  sailinff,  lo 
manage  iheir  vet-sels  in  that  siormy  and  lenipesluoua  cc<  an. 
into  Vtliich  they  at  oJice  emerged.  Many  veiecusi  auuy 
and  destroyed  in  the  eHoit  and  the  test  feuiful  'am\  di.-toi.r- 
aged  gave  up  the  undertaking  and  with  diiliculiy  r(.iuhed 
their  homes.  On  returniijo"  they  gave  out  that  a  great 
drr.gon  guarded  the  blessed  i5:lands  ot  the  Lcspetides ;  ;hat 
this  dragon  had  devoured  many  of  their  conipanions,  and 
forced  them  back  without  possessing  the  golden  fruit  or  see- 
ing the  beauliiul  country  ol  which  they  had  gone  in  search.  9. 

est  degree  of  glory.  It  amassed  riches  such  as  no  sovereign 
will  ever  amass  again  in  the  course  of  ages.  Besides  the 
island  furnished  an  abundance  of  all  that  was  necessary  to 
hie.  There  were  mines  of  orichalque,  a  metal  w hich  is 
known  at  present  only  by  name,  and  which  does  not  yield 
in  value  but  to  oold.  The  earth  nourished  a  crowd  of  ani- 
mals, domestic  as  well  as  wild,  and  even  elephants  were 
seen  there. 

"The  inhabitants  of  Atlantis  knew  how  to  construct 
temples,  palaces  and  ports.  The  temple  of  Neptune,  was 
covered  over  with  a  covering  of  gold  ;  it  was  of  itiimense 
size ;  but  its  architecture  w  as  of  a  sirtgular  character. 
They  had  represented  in  the  Sanctuoj,  Ni^ptune  standing 
erect  upon  a  chariot,  harnessed  with  six  winged  horses  of 
such  a  stature  that  the  figure  touched  the  vault  ol  the  edi- 
fice. Around  the  chariot  were  a  hundred  Neriads  seated 
on  dolphins.  Upon  (he  outer  wall  appeared  the  portraits  of 
the  kings  and  queens  of  the  Atlantis  u\  wrought  gold. 

"One  might  discover  within  the  circuutference  of  one 
royal  house  a  circular  ridinof  school  of  "i eat  diameter  w  liere- 
in  were  perforujed  the  movements  of  thec/ivahy. 

"  IJound  the  principal  city  there  was  a  little  plain  encir- 
.led  by  mountains,  from  whence  there  was  a  gentle  and 
c  u-y  slope  to  the  sea. 

'ihe  arclions  reigned  each  in  his  district  and  had  the 
power  of  life  and  death.  They  assembled  together  every 
six  years  and  regulated  among  themselves  the  general  affairs 
of  ihe  islajjd.  They  were  during  a  number  of  generations, 
jUst   powerful   and   happy.     At   length  luxury  introduced 


26 


bEl.UGK    IT     UKlI<.:At,I  .:< 


1 


I 

h 


For  a  time  this  narraticni  ivceveiited  the  artempts  ot'  otheirt 
but  the  Tyrians  well  knew  that  eventually  many  would 
succeed  for  their  continual  and  successful  voyages  acted  as 
fresh  incitements  to  the  nations  around  thcni,  when  an  event 
occurred  that  placed  them  beyond  danger  on  that  account. 
A  great  sea  overflowed  into  the  Mediterranean  and  burst 
its  way  through  the  straits  of  Gibraliar  overflowing  a 
member  of  the  Hesperian  isles ;  from  whence  it  became  a 
current  opinion  that  Atlantis  itself  was  overthrown.     The 


depravity  of  manners  and  despotism.  Jupiter  in  liis  wrath 
resolved  to  punish  the  crimestof  the  /Vtlantians  :  he  convoked 
the  immortals  to  the  centre  of  the  universe,  from  whence  he 
looks  down  on  ail  goneraf  ions.  When  they  were  assembled.'' 
The  rest  of  the  dialogue  is  lost. 

This  dialogue  of  Plato  i«  after  the  maimer  of  liis 
master  Socrates,  in  which  it  is  proposed  to  give  the  llieory  of 
the  soul,  to  make  men  acquainted  with  a  rewording  and 
avenging  deity  and  to  dpstsoy  tlie  blasphemy  v.l  atl^M.ists  a 
good  Providence.  De  Sak^  xtnarks  ihai,  ••  all  tb  ;  e  hu- 
blime  objects  do  not  belong  to  fiction  of  vviiich  Pia^o  him 
self  gives  notice  it  is  r;ot.  Hear  O  Socrates,  a  recital  very 
improbable  and  yet  very  true.  This  is  not  the  style  of  a 
philosopher  who  composer,  apologies.  He  tries  to  render  his 
tale  probable  and  takes  care  not  to  siv  that  i'  is  not 
so." 

''The  history  of  Atlantis  which  opens  the  dialogue  seenty 
well  connected  with  tUe  found;itioii  of  tlie  work. 
cription  of  the  vicisitudes  whicii  have  changed  d 
times  the  face  of  the  globe — this  people  liaijpy  as  long  as  it 
was  just — and  whom  the  Gods  aniihlafcii  uhen  it  ceif?cci  to 
be  so.  prepares  for  tiie  great  trutlis  which  the  pbilooo.plu  r  i- 
about  to  announce  to  men.     Here  is  lio  need  of  astoiii:  !i 


Th ;  des- 


marjy 


ing  a  multitude  by  illusions; 


er;(> 


tiii.-;    kind    is   on! 


adapted  to  tlie  barbarous  legislator  who  wi-ho-:  to  dec-.-ive 
his  victims,  and  not  to  the  philosopher  who  comes  to  hnno- 
to  unfortunate  beings  the  last  good  M/bich  could  b,c  tor  a 
from  them  God  and  immortality.  '' Bosidcry"  continue^  D- 
Sales.  "  Plato  is  not  tiie  only  writer  who  speaks  of  the 
Atlantis.  Homer  and  SarMromiathon  -'.Iso  make  meiilion  of 
them." 


Tyrians 
hopeless 
prise,  ho 
interveni 
cealed  th 
these  vo; 
the  case, 


Plutar 
Ogygia 
island.) 
five  days 
which  a  I 
are  reac 
dangeroi 
shifted  b 
frozen, 
cially  th 
the  mou 
Tourn 
century 
done  he 
lantic  ar 
little  arc 
continer 
by   the 
by  a  vi( 
he  the  t 
tic  subn 
tis   whi 
Canarie 
It  mc 
deluges 
the  anc 
tion  of 
thus  br< 
large    t 
Euxine 
eral  otl 
great  p 


IIBLAND  OF  ATLANTIS. 


27 


ot'  otheirt 

ly  would 

acted  as 

an  event 

account. 

md   burst 

lowing  a 

}ecaine  a 

vn.     The 

his  wrath 
convoked 
V hence  he 
semi.iled.'' 

!r   of    his 

llieory  cf 
dins^  and 
afJ'i^.ist.s  a 

thn.?e  an 
iato   hinv 
c'ii.at  very 
tylc   of  a 
•ender  hia 

i?    i?;  not 

'U.t'  SOiTjir' 

Th ;  des- 

1   marjy 

long  as  ii 

:e\i:C.d   to 

astoi)::l5 
is   on'y 

d ''•'•■  •ivt; 
s  (o  brinci 
I  ho  torsn 
.inuc>  D^ 
Ics  of  the 
leiJlioa  of 


Tyrians  at  first  behaved  this  themselves  and  gave  up  for 
hopeless  the  expedition  that  had  last  gone  out ;  to  their  sur- 
:  prise,  however,  it  returned  and  they  found  that  only  the 
intervening  isles  had  been  destroyed.  They  carefully  con- 
cealed the  fact  from  the  nations  around  them  ;  and  although 
these  voyages  excited  suspicion  in  regard  to  the  real  state  of 
the  case,  yet  as  no  competent  person  took  pains  to  examine 


Plutarch  in  speaking  of  the  island  of  Atlantis  calls  it 
Ogygia  from  Ogyges  one  of  the  Atlantians  (Oga  means  an 
island.)  "  This  island  he  says,  "  is  distant  from  Britain  about 
five  days  voyage  sailing  westward  ;  there  are  three  others 
which  are  about  the  same  distance  from  each  other ;  they 
are  reached  by  oared  vessels.  This  ocean  is  everywhere 
dangerous  to  voyagers  on  account  of  shoals  and  shallows 
shifted  by  currents.  There  is  a  tradition  that  it  was  once 
frozen.  The  shores  of  the  continent  are  inhabited,  espe- 
cially those  of  a  vast  bay  as  extensive  as  the  Palas  Meotides, 
the  mouth  of  which  is  over  aginst  the  Caspian  Sea." 

Tournefort,  the  botanist,  in  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth 
century  enlarged  on  these  ideas.  As  Hercules  had  formerly 
done  he  sailed  through  the  straits  of  Gibraltar  into  the  At- 
lantic and  flattered  himself  that  he  had  discovered  in  the 
little  archipelego  of  the  Canaries  the  remains  of  an  ancient 
continent  submerged.  He  goes  on  to  explain  this  submersion 
by  the  rupture  of  the  ancient  isthmus  of  Gibraltar,  caused 
by  a  violent  overflow  of  the  Mediterranean.  "  Perhaps  said 
he  the  terrible  irruption  of  the  Mediterranean  into  the  Allan 
tic  submerged  and  overwhelmed  that  famous  island  Atlan 
tis  which  Plato  and  Diodorus  describe.  The  islands 
Canaries,  Azores  and  America  and  the    remains  of  it.'* 

It  may  be  well  to  remark  in  this  connection,  that  two 
deluges  or  rather  partial  innundations  are  mentioned  by  all 
the  ancient  historians;  they  were  occasioned  by  the  eleva- 
tion of  volcanic  islands  and  the  overflow  of  the  Euxine  and 
thus  breaking  through  the  straits  of  Gibralter  overwhelmed 
large  tracts  of  the  Atlantic  isles.  Pallus  says  that  '■  the 
Euxine  and  Caspian  seas  as  well  as  the  lake  Aral  and  seve- 
eral  others  are  the  remains  of  a  great  sea  which  covered  a 
great  part  of  the  north  of  Asia. 


.1: 


I 


28 


TKADE  BROKEN  OFF. 


the  matter,   the  former  impression   returned   and  Atlantis 
was  forgotten. 

As  they  increased  in  wealth  they  increased  in  indolence ; 
luxury  induced  effeminacy  ;  they  wanted  spirit  to  make 
the  long  and  arduous  voyages  and  the  trade  gradually  ceased 


It  has  been  conjectured  says  an  English  writer,  "  that  the 
Bosphorus  was  the  occasion  of  draining  the  ocean  Pallas 
mentions.  The  memory  of  this  disruption  of  the  two  con- 
tinents was  preserved  by  the  traditions  of  Greece  It  appears 
that  this  catastrophe  was  produced  by  the  operation  of  Vol- 
canoes, the  fires  of  which  were  binning  in  the  sea  of  the 
Argonautic  voyage.  In  consequence  the  level  of  the 
Mediterranean  and  Atlantic  was  greatly  changed.  The 
ancient  navigators  complained  that  a  number  of  shallows 
infested  the  regions  of  the  Atlantic  ocean  The  tradition  of 
a  great  continent  fully  as  large  as  the  old  world  was  not  im- 
known  to  Aristotle.  It  is  remarkble  that  recent  navigators 
have  observed  many  shallows  nearly  connected  together  in 
r  line  stretching  from  Spain  through  the  Azores  to  New- 
xoundiand.  It  is  possible  that  after  the  submersion  of  this 
tract  of  land  which  served  for  the  connection  of  the  conti- 
nents, navigation  might  become  excessively  difficult,  until 
the  overflowed  countries  gradually  sunk  to  a  greater  depth, 
and  thus  at  the  same  time  gave  occasion  to  the  returning  of 
the  wafers  from  the  European  coast." 

Moreri  tells  us  that  "  in  order  to  be  convinced  that  America 
was  not  absolutely  unknown  to  the  ancients,  it  is  enough  to 
consult  them.  Grantor  assures  us  that  the  historical  notice 
of  Atlantis  by  Plato  is  true.  Prochus  quotes  Mercellus  an 
Ethiopian  historian  who  wrote  the  same  account  of  it  as  did 
Plato.  Besides  all  this  DiodorusSiculus  affirms  that  certain 
Tyrians  having  passed  the  straits  of  Gibraltar  were  carried 
by  furious  tempest  to  lands  far  away  in  the  Atlantic  Ocean 
and  that  they  found  a  very  fertile  island  opposite  Africa 
boidered  by  great  navigable  rivers,  if  we  consider  ihe  situ- 
ation of  the  island  it  was  more  probably  America  itself''  A 
record  of  this  visit  has  been  discovered  from  "  the  Panic 
(Phoenecian)  monument  found  some  years  ago  in  the  forests 
behind  Bostor.     It  is  probable  that  some  Tyrians,  thrown  by 


mg 


Ti. 


iiS. 


29 


Atlantis 

dolence ; 
to  make 
y  ceased 

that  the 

n  Pallas 

Lwo  con- 

l  appears 

h  of  Vol- 

ea  of  the 

of     the 

Id.      The 

shallows 

dition  of 

s  not  un- 

avigators 

getlier  in 

to  New- 

1   of  this 

he  conti- 

ult,  until 

er  depth, 

irning  of 

America 
nough  to 
;al  notice 
cellus  an 
it  as  did 
It  certain 
e  carried 
c  Ocean 
te  Africa 
the  situ- 
^eW  A 
he  Panic 
ic  forests 
rown  by 


urilil   it   \\"'^^   eiiiirelv  broken    oIK   so   that   for  manv  years 
no  Tyriaii  luul  visited  Atlantis. 

Con.sequeMlly  lliougii  noiieof  the  exiles  liad  ever  been  to 
that  far  oil"  coimtry,  yet  they  knnw  well  by  tradition  its 
proj)er  direction,  and  in  the  hour  of  oxtrernity  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  steer  lor  Atlantis.  According  as  their  ancestors  had 
done  before  them  they  coursed  the  Mediterranean,  passed 
the  Straits  ol  Hercules  and  nothing  daunted  by  the  expanse 
of  walors  that  met  their  view  s^iiled  in  a  westerly  direction. 
After  some  days  tliey  pas-sed  a  smali  group  of  islands,  whose 


storms  on  these  unknown  coasts,  uncertain  if  even  the 
same  tracks  might  be  again  discovered,  r/hoose  to  leave  this 
monument  of  their  adventures." 

Seneca,  eighteen  hundred  years  ago  was  so  certain  of  the 
existence  of  a  great  country  behind  the  sea  that  in  his 
tragedy  of  Media  he  thas  expresses  himself. 

Years  will  corne  in  future  ages 

When  ocean  shall  loose  the  chain  of  events 

And  a  vast  territory  shall  be  laid  open 

And  Tethys  shall  discover  new  worlds 

And  Thule  be  no  longer  the  boundary  of  the  earth. 

It  is  very  remarkable  that  the  words  of  Plato  respecting 
the  agrandizement  of  the  Atlantians,  in  this  Atlantis  cor- 
respond with  the  traditions  of  the  ancient  Peruvians  concern- 
ing their  origin  and  antiquities." 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  amount  of  inundation 
recorded  by  Plato  it  seems  most  unlikely  that  it  could  have 
overwhelmed  so  large  a  territory  as  that  of  Atlantis.  In  all 
verisimilitude  a  considerable  portion  of  the  Atlantian  popu- 
lation nuist  have  survived  the  catastrophe.  Many  of  the 
ancient  traditions  distinctly  imply  that  the  Atlantian  race  had 
not  entirely  perished  ;  and  if  the  Tyrians  gave  out  a  report 
of  their  utter  annihilation  we  well  know  the  reason  of  this 
fabricated  falsehood,  for  Diodorus  Siculus  tells  us  that  they 
endeavored  to  keep  the  knowledge  of  the  country  from  the 
Europeans  and  thus  retain  a  profitable  commerce  with  the 
Atlantians  to  theinselves." 


30 


VOYACrL    or    HEKCULKa- 


I 


!4.i 


m 


n 


sitiuition  was  hi  acronlauce  v.iiii  whiU.  they  had  heard,  and 
thus  much  cheered  by  know  iug  they  were  in  tlie  proper 
course,  continued  the  journey. 

Tlie  moon  became  full  and  waned  and  became  full 
again  and  still  found  them  on  the  waters ;  and  now  con- 
siderable alarm  began  to  fdl  tiieir  bosoms.  None  of  their 
ancestors  had  ever  spent  so  much  time  in  arriving  at  Atlantis 
and  they  feared  that  either  the  island  was  in  reality  over- 
thrown or  that  they  had  missed  its  direction.  Their  provis- 
ions and  water  began  to  fail  also,  and  this  added  to  their 
terror  and  distress,  At  last  the  moon  waned  and  without 
any  expectation  of  ever  seeing  it  full  again,  they  were  begin- 
ning 10  despair  when  they  found  themselves  in  a  powerful 
current,  t-iis  laised  their  hopes,  nor  were  they  again  destined 
to  disappointment,  for  on  the  second  day  they  reached  the 
place  of  their  destination  and  landed  on  the  eastern  coast  ot 
Mexico.  10. 

Their  ships  were  in  a  worn  and  unsafe  condition,  but 
tired  of  the  sea  and  having  no  longer  any  motives  for  travel- 
ing on  as  they  dared  not  return  to  Phanecia,  they  did  not 
repair  the  shattered  vessels,  but  on  the  contrary  suffered 
them  to  fall  to  pieces;  and  thus  all  means  of  ever  retracing 
their  steps  was  lost  and  in  fact  not  cared  for.  Circumstances 
had  developed  in  them  all  the  hardy  and  resolute  spirit  of 
their  favored  ancestors.     They  applied  themselves  diligently 

II).  The  unexpected  length  of  time  which  it  took  them  to 
reach  Atlantis  or  the  shores  of  Mexico,  can  only  be  accounted 
for  by  another  general  sinking  of  land,  and  that  this  is  the 
case  is  the  opinion  of  many  modern  geologists.  Darwin  in 
his  ''  Voyage  of  a  JVaturalist,"  says  that  the  geologist  who  is 
fully  impressed  with  the  vast  oscillaiio.is  of  level  which  have 
affected  the  earth's  crust  within  late  periods,  will  not  fear  to 
speculate  on  the  recent  submergence  of  land  in  the  West 
Indian  arch  pelago,  as  the  cause  of  the  present  zoological 
separation  ol  North  and  8ouih  America.  The  South 
American  character  of  the  West  Indian  manumals  seem  to 
indicate  that  this  archipelao^o  was  formerly  united  to  the 
southern  continent  and  that  it  has  subsequently  been  an  area 
of  subsidence. 


4 


1 


ioth*'  ui| 
thei;; ; 
forming"! 
alile    ml 
ones  t.h: 
reared, 
ioan.shi( 
Fmdl 
the  mid| 
on  thos( 
cord'.ng] 
land  bej 
two  iiioJ 
The  citl 
high  u\ 
mild  an 
most  gl 
remain( 
the  ma 
of  Tezc 
The 
country 
prised  d 
whom  t 
differen 
char  act 
childen 
soon  ob 
they  ke 
The; 
pled  ih 
floods 
ilie  firs 
and  tl 
bury  in 
heautil 
of  the 

11. 

North 


\ik 


aurtva*. 


MLXICO, 


31 


ad,  and 
}   proper 

u'.e  full 
low  con- 
of  their 
Atlantis 
:y  over- 
r  provis- 
to  their 
without 
e  begin- 
)owerruI 
destined 
tied  the 
coast  ot 

on,  but 
r  travel- 
did  not 
suffered 
;  tracing 
istances 
ipirit  of 
igently 

hem  to 
ounted 
s  is  the 
win  in 
who  is 
I  have 
fear  to 
West 
logical 
►South 
;em  to 
0   the 
narea 


to  the  uiiir^and  agri.^ultine.  v^ioon  splendid  cities  rosti  around 
then! ;  pyraiiiids,  rivalin*^  >,hoseof  I'igypt  towered  to  the  skies, 
forming'  like  ihrsc  similar  ^•truclure8  in  the  east  an  imperish- 
a':)ic  nionuii)ent  to  their  builders ;  and  aqueducts  like  the 
ones  til  at  u-:ed  lorinerly  to  supply  old  Tyre  with  water  were 
reared,  incomparubie  in  point  of  size  and  beauty  of  work- 
lyuoiship. 

Finding-  a  number  of  small  islands  in  a  lake  situated  in 
iha  midst  of  a  beautiful  valley,  they  resolved  to  build  a  city 
on  those  islands  to  connnemorate  tlie  one  they  had  lost,  ac- 
cord'.ngly  they  erected  a  magnilicent  city,  and  filled  up  the 
land  between  it  and  the  main  land  in  three  separate  places, 
two  more  than  Alexand'.n"  had  made  when  he  took  Tyre, 
The  city  though  in  a  vejy  warm  co\mtry  was  situated  so 
liigh  up  as  to  enjoy  a  temperature  at  all  times  exceedingly 
mild  and  refreshing.  It  Wiis  considered  by  its  builders  the 
most  glorious  place  in  the  world.  I'he  only  remnant  that 
remained  to  the  Tyrians  of  their  former  state  of  life  was 
the  magnificent  floating  gardens  that  floated  on  the  lake 
of  Tezcuco. 

The  Tyrians  when  they  landed  did  not  expect  to  find  the 
country  without  inhabitants  and  accordingly  were  not  sur- 
prised at  meeting  strange  tribes  ;  but  they  were  not  the  ones 
whom  they  wished  to  see,  but  on  the  contrary  an  entirely 
different  race,  destitute  of  the  pohsh  and  civilization  that 
characterized  the  Atlantians.  As  a  matter  of  course,  the 
childen  of  Azelmic  or  Aztecs  as  they  were  afterwards  called 
soon  obtained  the  superiority  which  with  occasional  reverses 
they  kept  until  enslaved  in  turn  by  Cortez. 

They  afterwards  found  that  the  Atlantians  who  had  peo- 
pled ihe  islands  of  the  sea  were  mostly  cut  off  by  two  great 
Hoods  and  earthquakes  which  had  reached  their  country ; 
the  first  time  many  of  the  isles  of  the  sea  were  destroyed, 
and  the  second  their  mainland  had  sunk  into  the  water 
burying  up  their  kings  and  nobles  in  their  gorgeous  and 
beautiful  cities  noted  throughout  the  world.  The  remnants 
o{  the  people  had  retreated   betbre  invaders  who  came  over 


11.    "When    America,"  says   Darwin,    "and   especially 
North  America  possessed  its  elephants,  mastodons,  horse  and 


32 


'oyag;-:    ro   ati.antio. 


! 


I 


from   the    norlli  and  now  lived  in   a   vast   couliiient   nianv 
rnounsjourney  to  tlie  south. 

After  many  generations  an  armament  of  vessels  appeared 
on  the  western  shore,  froin  which  disembarked  a  great  num- 
ber of  men  with  whom  the  Aztecs  had  many  dangerous 
combats,  but  did  not  succeed  in  conquering  them.  On  tho 
conlraiy  they  took  possession  of  a  district  of  the  country  UwS 
their  own   and  setthiig  on  il  soon  rivalled  the  early  inhabi- 

hollow  horned  ruminants,  i(s  was  nnich  more  closely  related 
in  iis  ZDologicil  character  to  the  temperature  of  Europe  and 
Asia  ihan  it  is  now.  As  ihe  remains  of  these  genera  are 
fourtd  on  both  sides  of  Bclning's  Straits,  andon  the  plains 
of  Si!>iria  we  are  It.-d  to  look  to  llu  north-western  side  of 
Noilh  America  as  the  former  point  of  cotnmunication  be- 
tWv.'en  th '  olil  and  so  called  New  World.  And  as  so  many 
species,  both  living  and  extinct  of  these  same  genera,  in- 
habit and  have  inhabited  the  old  world  it  seems  most  proba- 
ble that  the  North  American  elephants,  mastodons,  horse 
and  hollow  horned  ruminants  migrated  on  land  since  sub- 
merged near  Behring's  straits,  from  iSiberia  into  south  Amer- 
ica, and  thence  on  land  since  subnierged.  into  the  West 
Indies  and  South  Ameiica,  where  for  a  time  they  mingled 
with  the  forms  characteristic  of  that  southern  continent,  and 
have  since  become  extinct." 

If  the  lower  animals  and  of  such  enormotis  size  too,  could 
so  easily  pass  from  Asia  into  America  what  possible  objec' 
tion  can  be  uged  against  the  equally  easy  introduction  of 
men. 

Those  who  have  suggested  the  possibility  of  America 
havinof  been  peopled  from  Asia,  point  to  the  similarity  in 
features,  manners  and  mode  of  life  of  the  natives  of  both 
places  Mr.  Pnrsons  in  his  '-Remains  of  Japhet," entertains 
no  doubt  butthat  the  earliest  Americans  were  a  colony  from 
Tartary.  In  confirmation  of  this  he  observes  that  the 
American  natives  had  sonii  acquaintance  with  the  doctrine 
of  the  IVinity,  f  )r  they  worshiped  the  sun  under  the  three- 
fold appellation  of  '•  Father  and  Lord  Sun,"  "  The  Sun  Son," 
and  "  Brother  Sun,"  and  moreover  adored  an  idol  called  by 
the  name  of  Tanga  Tanga,  •vvhich  signifies  ^'one  in  Three 


(;  ' 


VOYaGL    Oi    HERCULES. 


33 


u   many 

appeared 
eat  num- 
angeious 

On  the 
luritry  a.s 

inliabi- 


y  related 
rope  and 
eneia  are 
he  plains 
n  side  of 
at  ion  be- 
so  many 
snera,  in- 
st  proba- 
)ns,  horse 
lince  sub- 
th  Ainer- 
he  West 
mingled 
nent,  and 

too,  could 
ble  objec- 
uclion  of 

America 
nlarity  in 
js  of  both 
entertains 
.ony  from 

that  the 
3  doctrine 
the  ihree- 
5un  Son." 
called  by 
n  Three 


tants  in  arts  and  civilization:  they  were  known  by  the 
name  of  Toltecs.  The  continual  jealousies  that  subsisted 
between  them  and  the  Aztecs  however,  made  their  position 
uncomfortable  and  at  last  they  left  the  northern  country 
entirely  and  went  to  a  long  distance  south  where  they  en- 
joyed an  equally  delightful  climate  and  the  blessings  of 
peace.   12. 

and  Three  in  one."  There  is  a  similar  worship  among 
the  Lamas  of  Thibet  and  Tartary.  Corroborative  evidence 
of  their  Tartar  origin  may  be  found  in  the  pillars  of  stone 
of  which  Peter  Kalm  gives  an  account,  that  were  discovered 
some  hundred  miles  west  of  Montreal,  evidently  of  great  an- 
tiquity and  one  covered  with  inscriptions  in  the  Tartar 
characters. 

According  to  Mr.  Pennant,  the  customs  of  scalping,  tor- 
turing and  even  eating  their  prisoners,  of  disguisinp-  them- 
selves as  wild  beasts  for  the  purpose  of  the  chaiv  c.nd  of 
marching  in  file  and  not  abreast  prevail  among  the  American 
Indians  as  among  the  inhabitants  of  Tartary,  while  in  their 
phyvsical  formation  thy  similarity  is  even  more  apparent. 

It  seems  that  a  corrupt  species  of  Jewish  ceremonialism 
had  spread  in  early  ages  over  a  great  part  of  north-eastern 
Asia,  when  the  Manchou  Tartars  imbibed  them.  As  might 
be  expected  these  ceremonies  may  be  traced  in  the  northen 
tribes.  A  mother  was  secluded  after  childbirth  :  the  wid- 
owed wife  generally  married  her  husband's  brother:  they 
selected  their  priests  (medicine  men)  from  among  a  portion 
of  the  tribe  not  warriors  ;  they  worship  one  God,  practise 
circumcision,  etc.  etc. 

'•  Their  opinion,"  says  a  writer,  "is  of  little  value  who 
think  that  the  people  of  America  came  from  Great  Tartary, 
because  there  were  no  horse.?  in  that  country  before  the 
Spanish  conquest,  and  it  is  almost  impossible  that  the  Scy- 
thians who  abounded  in  horses,  should  bring  none  with  them, 
bev«»ides  the  Tartars  were  never  seamen. 

There  was  no  necessity  of  ships  being  employed  in  cross- 
ing, as  Darwin  has  proved,  and  as  for  the  horse  he  mentions 
"  finding  a  tooth  of  a  horse  in  a  stained  and  decayed  state." 
When  he  brought  it  to  Europe  he  fonnd  it  to  compare  with 


34 


ARRlNAt-    AT   MEXI«:«t, 


I 


IK 


Some  time  alter  the  removul  of  tli«i  Toltecs,  a  man  tall  in 
statue,  of  a  fair  complexion,  with  long  dark  haii-  and  a  Haw- 
ing beard,  royo  up  among  the  Astecs  and  became  celebrated 
by  his  actions  and  teachinus.  Tiiey  called  him  Quetzal- 
coatl  or  the  god  of  the  air,  from  his  power  of  divining  at- 
mospheric changes.  Under  his  instructions  they  attained  a 
remarkable  knowledge  of  Agriculture,  so  that  the  fields  bore 
crops  a  hundred  fold  greater  than  before,  the  granaries 
teemed  with  vegetable  treasures,  and  all  thoughts  of  starvation 
fled  from  the  minds  of  men.  He  also  showed  them  the 
uses  of  metals.  More  than  all  did  he  take  i)articular  pains 
to  inform  ihem  of  the  proper  method  of  government  and 
how  the  gods  should  be  wor.shipcd. 

For  many  years  he  thus  continued  his  career  of  greatness 
and  benevolence  until  finding  that  the  hearts  of  the  people 
were  with  him  and  it  was  in  his  power  to  influence  them 
as  he  choose,  the  higher  powers  became  jealous  and  drove 
him  olf,  for  they  feared  to  kill  him.  duetzalcoatl  thus  forced 
to  depart  travelled  towards  the  sea  coast,  but  stopped  on  his 
way  at  the  city  of  Cholula,  when  in  like  manner  as  he  had 
done  in  other  places  he  taugtit  the  people.  He  showed  them 
that  flowers  and  fruits  in  their  season  were  the  only  sacrifices 


a  similar  one  found  in  the  United  States  by  a  slight  but  pe 
culiar  curvature  in  it.  "  It  is  certainly  a  marvellous  fact  in 
the  history  of  the  Mammalia,  that  in  South  America  a  native 
horse  should  have  lived  and  disappeared,  to  be  succeeded  in 
after  ages  by  the  countless  herds  descended  fron^  the  few 
introduced  with  the  Spanish  colonists." 

12.  The  Toltecs  were  probably  the  people  given  an  ac- 
count ot  by  Marco  Polo,  who  tells  us  that  Kublai  Khan  a 
Tartarian  monarch,  after  he  had  conquered  the  southern 
part  of  China,  sent  out  a  naval  expedition  for  the  purpose 
of  subduing  Japan,  but  that  this  armament  was  cact  away 
and  never  more  heard  of;  and  it  has  olten  been  conjectured 
that  some  of  the  vessels  may  have  found  their  way  to  Amer- 
ican shores,  a  supposition  that  will  explain  the  traces  of  Tar- 
tar customs  existing  among  the  Mexicans  at  the  time  of  the 
Spanish  conquest. 


■.  vei-  be 
1113  kind  0 
laie  his  fa 
upon  it. 
j)jrLure,  f 
power  thn 
if  Uiey  sh 
iHj  lotjger 

.     frivllr:  of  S« 

shores  of ''. 
But  bef( 
[that  lie  w 
I  ninny  of  I 
ipfuveifVil  t 
!iii>  sway. 
■'i'  It)  upi 

witil  tlllUK 

iC!i  all  the 

i,].  lot 
illi-.uory    0 

jinaricc  fo'. 
f\vdrd  Mall 

MiMished 


14.  Th. 
f-i  Cholula 


,|\virii.  ;i  ^pe; 

f.!r.u,  a  ioa( 
f-  liou  in 
t  .i'jiiy  visi' 

:^     15.    It  \^ 
l«  enuaicr 


*  - 


Qt'tiZ  \L'  <»A  '  I.. 


36 


n  tall  in 
I  a  llow- 
slcbrated 
^uetzal- 
ning  at- 
Itained  a 
jlds  bore 
granaries 
arvation 
lein  the 
[ar  pains 
ent   and 

peatness 
J  people 
ce  them 
id  drove 
lIs  forced 
;d  on  his 
s  he  had 
ed  them 
acrifices 

t  but  pe 
IS  fact  in 
a  native 
ceded  in 
the   few 


n  an  ac- 
Khan  a 
louthern 
purpose 
ict  away 
ijectured 
o  Amer- 
<  of  Tar- 
le  of  the 


{})■'  .rods  over  hk(^l  and  consequently  that  none  other  could 
,«r  be  Licot^ptably  oliered  by  the  people.  In  gratitude  for 
.;i:^  Ivind  ollices  the  people  raised  a  monument  to  connnemo- 
iviie  his  fame  and  instituted  a  priesthood  to  offer  sacrifices 
i!|H)?i  it.  liut  this  deed  was  the  occasion  of  his  sudden  de- 
j)jrLure,  for  the  Aztecs  princes  hearing  of  his  increasing 
power  threatened  veng-eance  on  the  iiiiiabitants  of  Cholula 
if  ihcy  sheltered  him  any  longer.  Quetzulcoatl  delaying 
r>u  longer  his  departuie  entered  a  magic  skiff  made  of  the 
s.kiir  of  f-erpents  and  directed  his  course  to  the  mysterious 
siiort->  of  lMa|):dlau). 

IJiit  before  his  departure  he  promised  his  faithful  followers 
tki!  he  would  revisit  them  hereafter  and  bring  with  him 
;;;r!iiy  of  his  children,  and  that  then  he  would  be  much  more 
i'n.verfiil  than  now,  and  the  whole  country  should  come  under 
:ii  ;\\ay.  ilis  ehiidren  lie  told  them  should  resemble  him- 
"1  111  appearance  and  complexion  and  they  should  be  armed 
■  iihthimder  and  lightning  with  which  to  wreak  vengeance 
'■  I  all  (he  foes  who  opposed  them=  51. 


i._>. 


Tor    infiMmation    on   this    subject  consult   Prescott's 

I'::iory   of  Mexico,    or  still  better  a   beautifully  written   ro- 

i/!Uicc  fu'.uidi-d  on  the    tradition    of    Quetzalcoatl,    by   Ed- 

Ydid  MaLurin,  entitled  Montezuma,  or  the  last  of  the  Aztecs, 

iMiblicd  by  Paine  and  Burgess  of  this  city. 


In 


•  1.  The  pyramid  built  to  the  hoior  of  the  god  of  the  air 
t'holula    is  of  the  most  colossal  dimensions,  being,  within 
.\ii  feet,  twice  as  large  m  the  great  Egyptian  pyramid  at 
iii>:eh.     lis  base  covers  an  extent  of  upwards  of  forty-four 
;  -:.  aiul   (he  platfurm  on  i!    occupies  more  than  one  acre. 
p-'ipendicular  heii:;ht  is  one  lumdred  and  seventy-seven 
;.     ioiiio  have  suppusred  that  it  w.-.i-  originally  a  work    of 
■..c  e,  but    this    opinion    is  refuted  not   only  by  tradition 
i;ii.ii  .t^peaks  of  its  being  built  by  man,  but  also  by  the  fact 
:\\.  a  load  cut  a  few  years  since  across  it,  laid  open  a  large 
liuii  in  wiiich  different  layers  of  clay  and  brick  were  dis- 
pell v  visible. 


15.  It  w  ill  be  well  upon  closing  the  account  of  the  Aztecs 
Jo  enumerate  ssome  of  the   principle   points  of  resemblance 


I 


36 


CITY    OF  HUM  \I. 


-i'. 


4 


The  people  fondly  remembered  his  promise  ;  it  descended 
as  a  heirloon  to  their  children  and  was  forgotten  !>}'•  none. 
its  iK'lief  grew  stronger  and  stronger,  until  at  length  a  g(Mie- 
lal  feeling  spread  through  the  Aztec  empire  and  its  tributa- 
ries that  the  time  had  approached  for  the  appearance  of 
Quetznlcoail  and  liis  cliildren  with  fair  complexion,  armed 
with  thunder  and  lightning.     Agreeably  to  the  universal 


III 


between  the  ancient  Mexicans  and  Tyrians.  It  is  compara- 
tively an  easy  matter  to  prove  that  they  came  from  the  cast. 
So  strikingly  do  the  traditions  speak  on  his  subject  that  the 
source  from  whence  they  acquired  them,  reniains  a  matter  of 
but  little  doubt  to  the  enquirer. 

They  speak  of  a  universal  deluge  in  which  only  two  per- 
sons, Coxcox  and  his  wife,  escaped  ;  and  in  their  old  paint 
ings  the  heads  of  these  two  are  shown  along  with  a  hopt 
which  is  floating  on  the  waters  at  the  foot  of  a  moiutlaii: 
Others  and  to  this  that  the  boat  was  filled  with  various  birds 
and  beasts.  From  out  this  boat  they  say  that  a  vulture  wa? 
first  sent  to  see  if  the  land  appeared  ;  but  the  voracious  bird 
remained  feeding  on  the  dead  bodies  of  the  drowned  giants. 
After  waiting  some  time  Coxcox  sent  forth  a  little  hummiris: 
bird  which  returned  soon  after  with  a  twig  in  its  mouth 

They  had  also  a  great  tower  about  which  they  tell  a  story 
of  the  giants  building  to  save  iheujselves  from  the  floods. 
Their  tradition  tells  of  one  Eve  who  brought  sin  into  the 
world,  and  from  hence  the  sufferings  of  childbirth  on  women 
This  Eve  is  represented  always  with  a  serpent  beside  her. 
The  sin  consisted  in  their  opinion  in  plucking  a  forbidden 
rose. 

The  Spanish  conquerors  were  surprised  beyond  measure 
at  beholding  the  cross  the  symbol  of  their  own  worship. 
universally  adored  in  Mexico.  It  was  sculptured  on  the 
walls  of  their  temples  and  in  some  cases  figmes  of  children 
represented  on  the  sculpture  as  held  up  to  it  in  an  attitude' 
of  prayer.  This  cross  sinudated  that  of  the  t^ffyptian,  and 
many  other  eastern  nations,  being  the  symbol  of  the  god 
des^  Astarte. 

Another  rite  of  the  Mexicans  filled  the  Spaniards  with 
amazement,  the  foiiuing  an  image  of    their   principal  goc 


fil.lOND  (  ONQUfcST. 


37 


lescended 
n  I)}',  none, 
ih  a  jj-ene- 
ts  liibutu- 
)earance  of 
ion,  arn)ed 

universal 


8  compara 
11  the  cast. 
lliat  the 
a  matter  cf 


:t 


ily  two  pel- 
oid pjiint- 
with  a  boat 
nioiiritaii; 
arious  binl? 
vulture  was 
acious  bird 
'lied  giants, 
e  huinniitiL' 
mouth 
'  tell  a  storv 
I  the  floo<.ls, 
in    into  the 
on  women 
beside    her. 
a  forbidden    ' 

I 
nd  measure  ^ 
m  worship, 
red  on  the  j 
of  children  J 
an  attitude  ' 
y^plian,  and 
of  the  god 

liards  witli 
incipal  goc 


expectation  it  was  annotniiced  that  the  air-god's  descendants 
had  come  to  take  possession  of  the  empire,  and  the  news 
was  received  with  a  mintrled  feeling  of  dread  and  curiosity. 
The  white  invaders  marched  through  (he  country,  and 
though  rnany  efforts  was  made  to  delain  them,  tritmiphed 
over  their  opposers  iind  were  victorious  in  every  contest. 
Gaining  the  capital  at  last  they  imprisoned  the  imperial  Mon- 
tezuma, overturning  the  idol  gods,  and  destroying  the  priest- 
hood that  served  them,  finally  desolated  the  empire  and  once 
more    made   the    descendants    of    Canaan   "siervants    of 


servants. 


with  Indian  corn  and  blood,  and  after  pronouncing  over  it 
certain  mysterious  words  distributing  it  to  the  people,  who 
eating  it  in  sorrow  and  humiliation  proclaim  u,  that  they 
were  partaking  of  the  flesh  and  blood  of  the  deify.  A 
similar  use  was  made  of  wine  and  bread  by  the  ancient 
Tyrians.  Baptism  in  a  form  nearly  similar  to  the  Sj)anish 
was  also  practiced. 

Both  the  Tyrians  and  Mexicans  weie  of  course,  from 
what  has  been  said,  idolatrous  nations  and  sacrificed  human 
beings  on  the  dedication  of  their  temples  and  defeat  in  war. 
But  the  Mexicans  carried  the  habit  to  a  greater  extent  than 
their  ancestors  had  ever  done.  The  companions  of  Cortez 
counted  one  hundred  and  thirty  skulls  in  one  of  the  temples, 
which  had  been  sacrificed  in  a  very  few  years.  Their  mode 
of  sacrificing  to  the  war  god  was  also  peculiar  and  it  has 
been  well  remarked,  that  their  was  nothing  like  it  in  all  the 
nations  as  regards  refinement  of  cruelty.  It  was  part  of  their 
law  of  war  and  they  deliberately  spared  the  captive  on  the 
field  of  battle  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  him  in  cold  blood  to  the 
god  of  war.  The  priest  took  the  bound  victim  and  cutting 
open  his  chest,  tore  out  the  still  beating  heart  with  bloody 
violence.  It  is  by  discovering  such  traits  as  these  in  their 
character  that  we  feel  little  sympathy  for  the  conquered 
Mexicans,  and  view  with  composure  the  retaliation  of  the 
Spaniards. 

The  Tyrians  offered  up  children  to  the  god  Saturn  (Mo- 
ioch)  who  was  represented  by  a  large  statue,  the  figure  bent 
slightly  forward  and  so  placed  that  the  weight  of  the  small- 


I- 


I  'ii 


38 


in:.    Lii 


-T 


AM. 


■}', 


»  I 

i 


If 


hi 


I 


i 

'I 

r 


The  ciiy  of  ;  uinai  =jiuialed  in  a  wild  and  desolate  tract  of 
r  .unlry  escaped  for  a  long  lime  the  notice  of  the  Spanish 
conqueiois,  and  it  was  not  until  the  rage  of  gold  and  blood- 


efet  cinid  was  sutficient  to  alter  as  position  and  cast  the 
inr.aU  into  a  liery  furnace  ].>elow  (he  idol.  On  tlie  ruins  of 
Central  America  the  custom  is  portrayed  in  hold  relief,  and 
j)eihapr:.  as  in  the  day^  of  the  Tyrian  .Tezai.^el,  brought  a 
ciii,-c  upon  the  country  so  tliat  the  rain  nor  dew  miglit  fall 
upon  i(,  and  as  no  Elijah  was  there  the  curse  still  con- 
tinues, for  all  travel IfMs  in  those  regions  complain  of  the 
ivant  of  water,  and  d'lcidcdly  declare  that  those  cities,  with 
which  tiicy  abound,  could  never  have  been  built  diu  the 
Hauie  want  of  that  article  exist  in  those  days  as  it  docs  in 
our  own.  Often  near  Molo-.h  is  the  cross  of  Astarte  (the 
moon). 

The  sacrifice  to  the  goddess  of  Ih-alih  Hygeia  by  optional 
circumcision  was  one  of  the  riti^s  of  the  old  Tyrian  worship, 
and  may  also  be  identified  in  the  Mexican.  The  chief  wor- 
shi|)  of  both  nations  was  given  to  Apollo,  the  sun  god,  and 
many  temples  of  the  most  gorgeous  character  were  erected 
to  ills  honor.  As  among  the  Pluenecians,  were  also  t(Mnples 
in  which  a  sacred  ih-e  was  kept  burning  night  and  day, 
by  virgins  of  the  sun.  The  Mexicans  had  a  knowledge 
of  painting  similar  to  the  Tyrians  and  Loth  preferred  ver- 
milion. The  square  coknnned  style  of  their  architecture 
can  be  proved  identical,  and  ou  this  subject  alone  volumes 
might  be  written.  The  works  of  Mr.  Stephens  on  Central 
America  read  in  this  light,  will  prove  doubly  interesting  and 
instructive,  and  of  course  render  superflous  from  their  easy 
T'ocess  any  particular  description. 

The  swan  was  the  s}  mholical  emblem  of  the  Tyrinns 
and  the  antiquarian  Jacob  Bryant  says,  "  tliat  wherever  they 
or  their  descendants  may  have  settled  there  will  be  found 
a  story  about  a.  swan."  Accordingly  the  Spanish  historian 
Sahagun  relates  (hat  about  twocem,(nies  before  the  conf[iiest 
by  the  Spaniards,  the  Aztecs  were  compelled  to  surrender 
to  a  neighboring  kingdom  that  oppressed  them,  their  cnibla- 
maticai  bud  the  swan. 

Two  uther  Tyrian  emblejiis,  ber|;ents:,  and  eggs,  ar*.;  uni- 


fched  wa 
even  th( 
lion,  the 

versally 
of  Mexi 
sive  pro( 
tation  ot 
belongii 
celebrat 
that  no 
Mexicar 
Mr.  J 
acter  in 
at  Tyrui 
know  let 
aualago 
Copan. 
tured  al 
to  be  esi 
this  cele 
Tyre!  i 
tiist  sub 
orated, 
the  Tyri 
Mexico. 
T'he 
news  w 
of  the  \ 
celebrat 
awful  a 
upon  hi 
urophec 
pie  X  ion 
benevol 
terious 
semblec 
di<iion, 
from   e 
his  rac* 


THE    CITY    OF    3UMAI. 


39 


failed  was  considerably  abated  that  it  was  found  out,  and 
even  then,  as  it  had  nothing  to  recommend  it  to  their  atten- 
tion, they  allowed  the  inhabitants  upon  paying  a  tax  to  pur.. 


V 


uni- 


versally found  sculptured  on  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  cities 
of  Mexico.  A.  third  one  which  cannot  fail  to  be  a  conclu- 
sive proof  of  the  identity  of  the  two  nations  is  the  represen- 
tation on  the  Mexican  walls  and  temples  of  the  spial  shells, 
belonging  to  the  niurex  which  furnished  the  juice  for  the 
celebrated  Tyrian  dye.  It  need  not  be  nieniioned  of  course 
that  no  animal  at  all  resembling  the  rnurex  is  found  on  the 
Mexican  coast. 

Mr.  Jonesj  has  instanced  a  similarity  in  their  political  char- 
acter in  the  formation  of  monarchies  and  republics  as  shown 
at  Tyrus  and  Carthage,  Mexico  and  Toltecs;  boides  great 
knowledge  of  Military  affairs  and  defensive  locality  with 
analagous  architecture  on  the  sea  and  walls  of  Tyrus  and 
(opan.  And  more  than  all  the  rest,  to  conclude,  the  sculp- 
tured altar  of  Copan  every  detail  of  which  is  ncknowledged 
to  be  essentially  Tyrian,  in  all  its  parts  ;  the  characters  on 
this  celebrated  altar  represent  the  last  event  in  the  history  of 
Tyre !  and  from  its  character  it  would  naturtiliy  l)ecorne  the 
tiist  subject  of  record  in  the  country  to  which  they  emi- 
grated. Their  astromomical  chart  was  similar  to  that  of 
the  Tyrians,  and  contained  animals  not  found  or  known  in 
Mexico. 

The  moment  the  Spaniards  landed  on  the  Mexican  shores, 
news  was  conveyed  to  the  courts  of  Montezuma,  by  means 
of  the  picture  writing  for  which  his  subjects  were  so  much 
celebrated  ;  and  thus  the  Emperors  received  notice  of  the 
awful  and  wonderful  beings  who  had  so  suddenly  appeared 
upon  his  shores.  Immediately  there  came  to  his  mind  the 
uiojihecies  relative  to  Quetzalcoatl,  the  deity  with  fair  com- 
plexion and  flowing  beard  who  after  fulfiling  his  mission  of 
benevolence  among  the  Indians  had  embarked  for  the  mys- 
terious shores  of  Tj^pallan.  These  strangers  exactly  re- 
sembled the  god  of  the  air ;  their  coming  verified  his  pre- 
diction, and  the  intrepid  and  successful  warrior  who  had 
from  early  youth  been  known  as  the  greatest  conqueror  of 
his  race  and  before  whom  nations  of  his  own  subduing  now 


i    ' 


In 
if' 


4-  t 


1     i 


40 


CONQUK^^T, 


4 


sue   their   own  habits   which    they  have  done  amid  all  the    * 
various  clianges  of   government  to  the  present  day ;  and 
would  probably  have  continued  much  longer  unnoticed  had 

bow  in  abject  obedience — the  great  Montezuma  sank   into 
the  super.slitious  despot,  and  saw  only  in  the  ill-fated  coming 
of  the  white  warriors,  the  departure  of  his  crown  and  king-     * 
doni.     We  are  told  that  the  white   bearded    men    in  flying     ^ 
castles,  who  spoke   in  thunder  and  lightning  paralyzed  his 
mind  and  siiook   him  with  an  awe  from  which  he  never  re-     f 
covered,  for  no  one  in   the  empire  believed  with   Uiore  shud- 
dering  faith   than  himself,  the  prophecies  which   it  was  ex- 
pected were  about  to  be  fulfilled.    Dryden  makes  mention  of 
it  in  his  play  of  the  Indian  Emperor. 

lEnter  Gai/omar  hastily  ;  the  scene  is  a  sacrqfice  in  the  temple} 

Odinar.     My  brother  Ciuyomar  !  inethinks  I  spy 

Haste  in  his  steps  and  wonder  in  his  rye. 

Montezuma.     1  sent  thee  to  the  frontiers :  quickly  tell 

The  cause   of  thy  return';  are  all  things  well. 

Chiyomar.     I  went  in  order  sir  to  your  command 
To  view  the  utmost  limits  of  the  land. 
To  that  sea  where  no  more  world  is  found, 
But  foaming  billows  breaking  on  the  ground 
Where  for  a  while  my  eyes  no  object  met, 
But  distant  skies  that  in  the  ocean  set, 
And  low  hung  clouds  that  dipped  themselves  in  rain 
To  shake  their  fleeces  en  the  earth  again  ; 
At  last,  as  far  as  I  could  cast  my  eyes 
Upon  the  sea,  somewhat  me  thought  did  rise 
Like  bluish  mists  which  still  appearing  more, 
Took  dreadful  shapes  and  moved  towards  the  shore, 

Montezuma.     What  forms  did  these  new  wonders  represent  r 

Guyomar.    More  strange  than  what  your  wonder  can  invent, 
The  object  I  could  first  ilistinctly  view 
Was  ti'.ll  straight  trees,  which  on  the  waters  flew. 


H  'A 


\ 


lid  all  the 
day;  and 
ticed  had 


ank   into 
d  coming 
nd  king- 
in  flying 
yzed  his 
never  re- 
ore  shud- 
it  was  ex- 
iiention  of 


temple} 


i 


COL.  dompiia: 


41 


n  run 


not  the  second  conquest  brought  them  to  hght  from  Col, 
Doniphan  following  up  the  information  gathered  from 
the  savages. 

Wings  on  their  sides  instead  of  leaves  did  grow, 
Which  gathered  all  the  breath  the  winds  could  blow ; 
And  at  their  roots  grew  floating  palaces 
Whose  outbowed  belles  cut  the  yielding  seas, 

Montezuma.     What  divine  monsters  0  ye  gods  are  these 
That  floai  in  air  and  fly  upon  the  seas  ; 
Came  they  alive  or  dead  upon  the  shore  ? 
Guyomar.    Alas !  they  lived  ;  surely  I  heard  them  roar  ; 
All  turned  their  sides  and  to  each  other  spoke, 
I  saw  their  word»  breathe  out  in  fire  and  smoke, 
Sure  h  it  their  voice  that  thunders  from  on  high, 
Or  thjse  the  younger  brothers  of  the  sky. 

Deaf  with  the  noise  I  took  my  hasty  flight- 
No  mortal  courage  can  support  the  fight. 
High  Priest.     Old  prophecies  foretell  our  fall  at  hand 
When  beared  men  in    floating  castles  land 
I  see  it  is  of  dire  potent. 

Indian  Emperor.,  Act  I.  Scene  2. 

Mr.  Prescott  speaking  of  the  behef  of  the  Indian  race  in 
the  return  of  Q,aetzalcoatl,  ^ays  that  it  was  fondly  cherished 
and  as  much  expected  as  the  advent  of  their  king  Sebastian 
continued  to  be  the  Potuguese  or  that  of  the  Mesiah  by  the 
Jews,  and  that  it  was  in  a  great  measure  owing  to  this  be- 
lief that  the  Spaniards  were  ena'  led  to  conquer  the  country. 


I 


)    ;■ 


shore, 


ent, 

?w. 


h 


f: 


V'l 


42 


DISCOVERYj^F   AMERICA. 


extent  oi 
gpeaks  of 


4 


I ,, 


H 


BOOK  IL 


DISCOVERY  OF  AMERICA 

BEFORE      THE      PERIOD      OP     COLUMBUS. 

It  will  be  well  before  reading  this  article  to  turn  to  a  map 
of  the  world  and  carefully  survey  the  positions  as  laid  down 
on  it  of  the  novth-western  part  of  Europe  to  Iceland  and 
Greenland,  and  in  turn,  the  positions  of  these  two  last  named 
places  to  North  Ameiic...  Such  an  examination  will  cause 
much  of  the  diflicuity  to  vanish  that  might  exist  in  the  mind 
relative  to  an  easy  passage  from  any  one  of  the  places  to 
another. 

Tliat  tiie  existence  of  waste  tracks  of  land  was  known 
to  the  inhabitants  of  western  Europe  in  early  times  is  evident 
from  the  nature  uf  many  of  their  traditions.  Tt  wa.?  fondly 
believed  that  a  land  of  perpetual  summer  existed  beyond 
the  ocean  and  tliat  all  which  could  be  required  to  feast  the 
palate  or  gratify  the  eye  was  there  in  countless  profusion 
Many  tried  to  discover  them,  but  returned  back  disheartened 
with  the  length  of  the  voyage  and  terrified  by  the  boundless 


A  writ 
tial  truth 
fleet*  the 
Paradise 
count  of 
solves  to 
forty  dayi 
After  ma 
ed  to  su 
at  last  to 
mense  ni 
in  cons( 
months 
strange  s 

The  \ 
doc,  mad 
islands  ir 
the  sami 
I  century 
'"  Soiuhey 
this  subj( 
on  the  sc 
coinplexi 

The  rJ 
Europe 
Atlantic 
diev  reli 


'<!     V- 


x_. 


o  a  map 
lid  down 
md  and 
3t  named 
411  cause 
the  mind 
places  to 

5  known 

!S  evident 
IS  fondly 
J  beyond 
feast  the 
iiofusion 
lenrtened 
oundless 


DISCOVERY    OF     AMEBICA. 


extent  of  waters   spread   out   before  them, 
speaks  of  such  places, 


43 
Mrs.  Hemans 


—  in  her  iales  of  delight  that  rest 
Far  off  in  a  breozeless  main 

Which  many  a  bark  with  a  wearj-  qunst 
Has  sought  but  still  in  vain. 

A  writer,  prefacing  the  narration  by  remarking  that  essen- 
tial truth  form  the  basis  of  most  fables,  quotes  froia  Stilling- 
fleet'  the  seven  years'  voyage  of  St.  Brenda,  in  quest  of 
Paradise  (or  the  Elysian  islands).  St.  Bicnda  lieaiing  an  ac- 
count of  the  discovery  of  a  delitrhtful  island  by  Mernoc,  re- 
solves to  visit  the  place,  and  after  building  a  ve&sel,  put  in 
forty  days  provisions,  and  set  sail  with  fourteen  of  his  followers. 
After  many  hardships,  and  from  want  of  provisions  being  oblig- 
ed to  subsist  on  whatever  fish  they  couldcatch,  they  came 
at  last  to  an  island  uninhabited  by  men,  but  filled  with  im- 
mense numbers  of  the  feathered  tribes,  and  named  by  them 
jn  consequence  the  Paradise  of  Birds.  Staying  three 
months  here  they  again  put  to  sea  and  encountered  many 
strange  adventures  before  reaching  home. 

The  Welsh  chief  Gavran,  as  quoted  by  Southey  in  Ma- 
doc,  made  several  discoveries  by  sea  and  among  others  of 
islands  in  the  west  called  the  Green-lands  of  the  ocean.  From 
the  same  country  also  went  forth  Madoc  in  the  twelfth 
century  in  search  of  the  Atlantic  and  American  territories. 
Southey  remarks  that  strong  evidence  has  been  adduced  on 
thib  subject ;  and  that  his  posterity  exist  there  to  this  day 
on  the  southern  branches  of  the  Missouri,  retaining  their 
complexion,  their  language,  and  in  some  degree,  their  art?. 

The  Northmen  scattered  along  the  north-western  coast  of 
Europe  were  very  successful  in  their  discoveries  of  the 
Atlantic  islands  and  America.  Bold,  hardy  and  resolute 
they  relied  on   the    traditions  of  their  ancostore  and  puttin^j 


I 


i.l 


n 


44 


DISCGVERV  OF  VINLAND. 


'■  <\ 


\\t 


.^. 


I        > 


out  to  sea.  with  fearless  and  unflinching  confidence,  were 
fully  justified  in  their  faith  by  the  realization  of  their 
most  sanguine  anticipations.  Certain  pirates  on  an  expedi- 
tion from  Norway  to  the  Faroe  islands  were  driven  out  of 
ihcir  course  in  the  ninth  century  and  discovered  the  volcanic 
summit  of  Hecla  Harold  the  fair- haired  was  then  king  of 
Norway,  and  his  ambition  and  usurpations  drove  oflf  many 
of  hia  chieftains  to  seek  a  home  in  another  country  who 
gladly  took  advantage  of  the  piratical  discovery,  and  in  827 
sailed  to  the  new  which  country  soon  became  settled,  and 
sent  out  adventurers  to  discover  other  lands ;  and  thus 
in  turn  Greenland  became  known  and  inhabited.  Still 
extending  their  excursions  they  came  to  the  American 
shore',  as  far  down  it  is  supposed  as  Massachusetts. 

In  a  voyage  made  by  Lief,  in  those  early  times,  along  the 
coast  he  came  to  a  barren  plain  of  slaty  formation  and  called 
it  Hellul AND  or  the  country  of  slates  ;  coming  to  anothe"* 
place  after  the  lapse  of  some  days  in  which  the  country  was 
flat  and  covered  with  wood  and  tracks  of  white  sand  where- 
ever  they  went ;  he  called  it  Markland.  At  last  they  ar- 
rived at  a  place  that  suited  them  in  every  respect,  and  here 
they  went  ashore  and  constructed  tents  of  skins ;  the  soil 
was  excellent,  the  eatable  animals  on  the  land  plenty, 
and  in  the  river,  larger  and  finer  salmon  than  they  had 
ever  before  seen. 

It  happened  one  evening  that  they  missed  a  man  of  their 
company  and  it  was  Tyrker  the  German.  This  was  a  great 
grief  to  liief  under  whose  father  Tyrker  had  long  served 
and  to  whom  he  was  much  attached.  He  accordins"  set 
out  to  find  Tyrker,  with  a  company  of  men,  but  had  pro- 
ceeded to  a  very  short  distance  when  they  met  the  absen- 
tee who  gave  them  a  hearty  welcome  ;  he  stagg-ered  as  he 
walked   and  uttered  strange   sentences,  which  ler"    Lief  to 


t 


make  ( 
had  di 
influen 
event  i 
theii  r€ 
spoke 

•^Th 
made  ii 
remark 
deny  p( 
espectif 
White 
very  ea 
tention 
that  the 
with  th( 
ment  of 
quently 
nals  of 
''Thj 
in  Nerval 
Adam 
This  dis 
we  knol 
"Thj 
Marklai 
is   veryl 
known 
a  suppoij 
situated! 
nothing! 


u 


Col 


\ 


CO,  were 
of  their 

expedi- 
m  out  of 
volcanic 
1  king  of 
off  many 
try   who 

in  827 
tied,  and 
and  thus 
id.  Still 
American 

3. 

along  the 
and  called 
to  auothe"- 
)untry  was 
nd  where- 
ist  they  ar- 
,  and  here 
s ;  the  soil 
nd  plenty, 
n  they  liad 

lan  of  their 
,vas  a  great 
ong  served 
cording  set 
It  had  pro- 
the  absen- 
gered  as  he 
ler»    Lief  to 


DISCOVERIES  BEFORE    COLUMBUS. 


45 


!J1 


make  enquiry,  when  he  found,  to  his  surprise,  that  Tyrker 
had  discovered  vines  and  grapes  and  was  then  under  the 
influence  of  the  generous  liquor.  Taking  advantage  of  this 
event  they  loaded  their  ship  with  timber  and  grapes  and 
then  returned  to  Greenland.  When  they  arrived  home  they 
spoke   of  the  new  country,  under  the  name   of  A^inland 

"The  discovery  of  Vinland,"  says  a  writer,"  was  not 
made  in  obscure  age.  It  may  have  been  proceeded  by  many 
remarkable  voyages  in  the  west,  and  we  do  not  venture  to 
deny  positively  that  the  stories  of  the  Limerick  merchants, 
especting  the  Nortiimen  carried  to  Great  Ii eland  and  the 
White  Man's  Land,  may  have  had  their  foundation  in  some 
very  early  transatlantic  discoveries.  But  conferring  our  at- 
tention to  what  is  strictly  matter  of  history  we  may  remark 
that  the  discovery  of  Vinland  was  made  cotemporaneously 
with  the  first  colonization  of  Greenland,  and  the  establish, 
ment  of  Christianity  in  that  country  and  Iceland,  and  conse- 
quently belonged  to  the  most  interesting  period  in  the  an- 
nals of  the  north. 

'- The  discovery  ot  Vinland  was  immediately  made  known 
in  Norway  ;  and  in  the  latter  half  of  the  eleventh  century 
Adam  of  Bremen  heard  it  from  Swein  king  of  Denmark. 
This  discovery  he  emphatically  remarks  is  not  a  fable  but 
we  know  it  from  certain  information  of  the  Danes. 

"The  ancient  Icelandic  geographers  agreed  in  placing 
Markland  and  Vinland  to  the  south  of  Greenland,  and  what 
is  very  remarkable  that  Vinland,  the  most  remote  country 
known  to  them  in  that  quarter  was  supposed  to  join  Africa, 
a  supposition  that  makes  evident  two  facts ;  first,  that  it  was 
situated  a  long  way  south  of  Greenland  ;  and  that  secondly 
noihing  was  known  of  the  extent  of  its  shores. 
"  Columbus  visited  Iceland  in  1477  ;  and  from  his  general 


Ih 


II 


■«>'- 


Pv 

*    I 

,  (" 

\ 

,« 

■  I. 


46 


DISCOVKUY   01     AM': RICA. 


*-7 


■ '  r 


appetence  of  knowledge  it  cannot  be  doubted  that  he  heard 
of  the  early  voyages  of  the  Northmen  and  their  discovery  of 
Vinland.  Wliat  could  be  nnore  to  his  pinpose  or  better 
adapted  to  his  views,  than  the  fact  that  the  Northmen,  the 
boldest  of  navigators  had  knowledge  of  a  land  in  the  west, 
which  they  supposed  to  extend  far  southwards  till  it  met 
Africa  ?  Or  could  oot  the  intelligent  Genoese  find  some 
suggestion  in  the  following  more  accurate  statement  of  an 
Icelandic  geographer  ?  *  On  the  ivest  of  the  great  sea  of 
Spain  which  some  call  Giniiug-agap,  and  bearing  some- 
what towards  the  7iorth,  the  first  land  ivhich  occurs  is  the 
good  Vinlatid.'  It  would  add  little  to  the  reputation  of  Co- 
lumbus to  maintain  that  he  was  incapable  of  profiting  by  so 
good  a  hint. 

"  Columbus  himself,  from  these  facts  comes  to  be  regarded 
in  a  new  light  not  so  much  as  an  original  discoverer  as  one 
who  repeated  and  established  the  accredited  discoveries  of 
his  predecessors  in  a  most  heroic  and  glorious  style  of  exper- 
iment. Thus  was  the  ancient  Tyrian  and  Pythagorean 
system  of  astronomy  revived,  restored  and  developed  by 
Copernicus  and  Newton.  Their  immense  merit  consisted 
in  the  examination,  accumulation  and  demonstration  of 
antique  theories  that  had  well  nigh  been  consigned  to  obliv- 
ion.  And  this  in  our  estimation  requires  a  lofter  and  wider 
range  of  intellectual  science,  than  original  discovery  itself. 
Original  discovery  as  it  is  called  is  often  the  result  of  chance 
or  accident,  the  spirit  of  contradiction  and  even  the  rashness 
of  desperation*  Original  discoveries  are  often  struck  out  in 
an  instant  to  the  astonishment  of  their  inventors  who  had 
no  anticipation  of  them.  Not  so  with  the  profound  truth 
teacher  who  knowing  that  what  is  true  is  not  new,  and  that 
what  is  new  is  not  true,  searches  through  the  recondite  an- 
nals of  our  planet  for  the  golden  links  of  the  true  philosophy 


b'or  tins  m 
what,  line 
if  all  the 
••Such 
a  still  hig 
■  vvhich  ori* 
credulity, 
of  demon 
rnethiau 
forget  fuln 
of  eKultir 
"  If  th( 
venturer, 
ingagair 
hf  knew 
keen-sigl 
cumulate 
of  cousci 
ble  theor; 
from  Eu 
evidence 
Not  01 
Iceland  ' 
reports  h 
land— tl 
wood  nc 
leagues 
I    mense  s 
west — 1 
em  win 
wonder* 
The 
now  en 
concern 


^:v 


-#: 


I'ly.  OVr<KY     or      AMFKICA. 


'  47 


he  heard 
^overy  of 
better 
men,  the 
the  west, 
1  it  met 
ind  some 
nt  of  an 
sea  of 
ng  some- 
rs  is  the 
Dnof  Go- 
ing by  so 

regarded 
er  as  one 
veries  of 
of  ex  per- 
bagorean 
loped  by 
consisted 
ation  of 
to  obhv- 
tid  wider 
ry  itself, 
f  chance 
rashness 
k  out  in 
who  had 
id  truth 
and  that 
iidite  an- 
lioso  phy 


Pot  (his  man,  what  perseverance  is  required,  what  subtlety, 
what,  liue  perception  of  analoi^ies,  what  a  critical  analysis 
)f  all  the  dements  that  ronstitiite  probabilily- 

••Such  men  if  not.  original  di.-coverers,  are  discoverers  of 
a  stil!  higher  order.  They  lay  hold  of  the  neglected  germ 
;v!i!ch  original  discovery  Iiad  hung  on  the  sliarp  rocks  of  in- 
credulity, and  develop  it  into  an  august  and  gloricus  system 
of  (l':>monstrated  verity.  They  seiz*^.  the  little  spark  of  pro- 
rneihian  fire  which  was  just  about  to  perish  in  the  fogg  of 
forjret fulness  and  by  it  they  rekindle  the  universe  into  a  blaze 
of  exulting  hope. 

"  If  therefore  we  admire  Columbus  less  a  >  tl»e  hardy  ad- 
venturer, who  with  a  dogged  and  desperate  resolution,  hop- 
ing against  hope,  launched  forth  on  the  Atlantic  to  discover 
\\?  knew  not  what,  we  reverence  him  more  than  ever  as  the 
keen-sighted  and  philosophic  truth-seeker,  who  from  the  ac- 
cumulated tostimony  of  ages,  in  the  haughty  independence 
of  conscious  gemus  moulded  a  most  relined  yet  demonstra- 
ble theory  of  geographical  facts.  His  mind  when  he  set  sail 
from  Europe  was  impressed  with  the  weight  of  historical 
evidence  and  he  proceeded  in  confidence  and  certainty." 

Not  only  did  Columbus  acquire  information  by  his  visit  to 
Iceland  but  his  knowledge  was  strongly  confirmed  by  thg 
reports  he  heard  of  land  being  seen  for  to  the  west  of  Ice- 
land— the  discovery  of  Maderia,  the  discovery  of  carved 
wood  not  cut  with  iron  instruments  four  hundred  and  fifty 
leagues  from  Cape  St.  Vincent,  on  the  open  sea,  and  im- 
mense sized  reeds,  which  had  drifted  to  Port  Santo,  from  the 
west — hugh  pine  trees  of  unknown  species,  wafted  by  west- 
ern winds  to  the  Azores,  and  not  least  of  all,  human  bodies  of 
wonderous  form  and  feature  cast  upon  the  island  of  Flores. 

The  Society  of  Northen  Antiquarians  at  Copenhagen  are 
now  engaged  in  «x)llecting  and  publishing  all  the  acoounti^ 
concerning  the  voyages  of  the   Northmen  to  this  continent 


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48 


DISCOVERV  OF  AMlilUCA. 


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long  before  its  discovery  by  Columbus.  The  information 
they  liave  already  given  to  the  world  is  invahjable  and 
definitely  settles  the  disputed  question  of  early  disanciy. 
]t  is  from  what  they  have  furnished  in  a  great  measure  tlmt 

most  of  this  article  was  prepared. 


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